Lauren & Steven
Lauren & Steven
Our Story
So...how'd you two meet?
In October of 2020, we were all still reeling from COVID.
Isolated and forever changed, I'd been praying for answers.
As told from Lauren's perspective.
On Thursday, October 29th, I attended a regional playoff soccer game in Washington, Missouri. Mason was playing varsity soccer at the time, and I, ever faithful, was his biggest fan in attendance. I was bundled up in base layers, a sweatshirt, long johns, a coat, a hat, and gloves—it was cold.
The game ended at 8 pm, and I received a text from the new owners of Babylon: "We have some food coming out of the kitchen if you want to come up and take pictures." My business partner, April, and I were assisting this business with its opening in a new location, and the pictures were for their marketing. I planned to arrive by 9 pm, which was practically my bedtime on a Thursday. My camera was in my van, and something inside told me I had to go. I wanted to satisfy the client.
I also wanted to be someone who said yes to things. Otherwise, I would be limiting my experiences and opportunities. After so much fear about never being able to go out in public again, I went, looking like a hot mess.
Being in my hometown, I recognized several people in the restaurant, but one man was unknown to me.
However, I noticed him right away. He made me blush, sweat a little, and made me wish I had put on makeup or, at the very least, combed my hair. He was the most handsome man I’d ever seen.
I took pictures of the food (Diablo Pasta) by setting it under the bar lights, standing on the bar stools, and shooting downwards; I would have been hard to miss.
The familiar people nearby chatted with me while I was taking photos.
I stayed to chat. As people left, I moved over a seat to talk to Byron, a local business owner.
Byron turned to me and said, “This guy here,” gesturing to the handsome stranger, “says he thinks he knows you. He mentioned something about you taping his feet.”
squee Did the handsome stranger know me?!
My reply: “Well, that is oddly possible.”
I shifted in my seat and leaned back to address the handsome stranger. “What year did you attend Mizzou?”
Handsome stranger: “1997 to 2001.”
Me: “Then I definitely did. What’s your name?”
Handsome Stranger: “Steven Colbert.”
We talked until the restaurant closed.
Leaving that night, I marveled at God’s clever timing. He encouraged me to drop my defenses, cast aside vanity, and find hope in the most unexpected places: The Babylon.
Steven and I grew into supportive friends and eventually realized that our mutual affinity and encouragement were of a lasting kind. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The Avett Brothers have many fantastic songs, as they are incredible lyricists. "All My Mistakes" has a stanza that resonates with us:
But I can’t go back
And I don’t want to
'Cause all my mistakes
They brought me to you.
As Told From Steven's Perspective
I loved Troy as a kid but never wanted to go as a teenager. (something I regret as an adult) In college, I experimented with life in Troy and spent a summer working concrete. Despite my time there, I never ran across Lauren. Not at the store, playground, or any social gatherings while in college. As an adult, facing major life changes, I consulted my mother, and she agreed Troy would be a good environment to heal and grow.
One evening, feeling content after watching all the Netflix shows with Brenda and Dad that I cared to see, I ventured out. Eventually, I found myself back in Troy at the church where I was baptized. However, my childhood church had moved, and in its frame was a restaurant that compelled me to visit - the Babylon.
Walking in, passing rows of tables, I sat down at the bar, in awe that this structure was once my church. For a while, I was ashamed to acknowledge that the altar was now the bar configuration, but now it seems like a complexity to ponder and find the good message in it. Sitting at the bar next to the only open seat, I felt like a complete outsider, sensing eyeballs on me. Excited to meet people from Troy, I observed a couple of guys and ladies to my right. One woman seemed very talkative and engaged with her company. I noticed her prettiness. I was quickly drawn to the person sitting closest to me who obviously knew this group of locals, a man with a kind smile and cocktail, seemingly open to conversation from an outsider.
After a short conversation, we realized he knew my father very well from business, surprising me with unexpected details about me and my sister. He knew my dad when I was born! And he knew that I played football at Mizzou! Somewhat proudly, I acknowledged that I was that son. Mentioning football, I noted the woman at the end of the bar who was engaged in conversation had left, and I began to think she was possibly a sports trainer at Mizzou who taped my feet. He confirmed she was a trainer at Mizzou and probably gone for the evening.
I wanted her to return, but we continued our conversation about concrete work and his respect for my father. I liked knowing that he knew my parents were in Kirksville and the details he shared about his work and Troy. Then, she appeared. She was back and came up to my new friend and me. As quickly as he saw her, we both explained that I thought she had taped my feet in college. She looked at me and said, “that is oddly possible.”
Soon, we realized we shared Troy roots and a deep connection to the Mizzou football team. She dug up old pictures from the bowl game we were both at in Tucson, Arizona, and we had a lot of fun with the memories. It was my first realization that Lauren takes detailed photos of everything. She explained she was at the restaurant for photos of food for the marketing work she did for the business. She gave me a tour of Troy; we shared childhood experiences, football stories, music, and our fascination with each other. To this day, it's such a neat experience to see her smile and remember it when she was 19 years old. I tell her, "I remember you," and we acknowledge it may have been in Troy as kids, agreeing that our connection was meant to happen when it did.
Follow along as I wax alliterative
Fatefully found in the fervor of football, Steven and I fostered a flourishing bond, first fanning the flames of friendship, then fusing our futures with a fondness for flavorful feasts, familial festivities, and the fellowship of familiar friends. Fondly, we've frequented forests and fields, finding freedom in the fresh, fragrant air, fueled by our fascination with firearms and the foundational facets of our favorite town. Fortified by these fibers of our shared fabric, we forge ahead, inviting you to a fête filled with the fullness of our hearts.
The Proposal - A date with the sunset
Friday, June 2nd, 2023, started like an ordinary Friday - and ended as anything but.
As told from Lauren's perspective...
I worked until 5. Then, I went to visit my Grandma Inga.
Steven asked if I would like to go on a date. "We could leave home at 730pm. I made reservations".
First, I was like, "Leave at 730?! What am I, in my 20s? Maybe we should just stay in."
While visiting Grandma, I could tell 730 wasn't gonna happen. I was in no rush. Grandma and I were having a wonderful conversation.
Around 745, I left grandma's. I called Steven to say I'd be home around 815pm.
Steven - "I shifted our reservations. We can still make it."
Me - "Um, okay. Should I just meet you there? Where are we going?"
Steven -"You could meet me there, but I want to take only one car."
Me - "Well, I am on my way. See you soon."
I listened to music, made phone calls, checked my weekend schedule, and sent text messages.
The sunset was particularly stunning. As I was listening to All is Well by Joy Williams, I put it on repeat.
When I pulled into the driveway, I called Steven to ask that he meet me outside so we could listen to this song while watching the sunset. (he's home waiting for me to arrive, right?)
No answer. I raised the garage door - his car was not there. What?!
So I send a message while sitting in the circle drive watching the sunset, "where are you?"
Steven -"be right back."
Me - weird.
Song over, I pull into the garage. Steven texts, "The boys have a letter for you."
Now I am intrigued.
A letter?
I enter the house and Immediately notice it's clean. Who did that, I wondered.
Maxwell and Mason greeted me in the breakfast room. Both are wearing collared shirts.
Mason wasn't in a cut-off. I knew something was up.
Maxwell handed me the envelope containing "the letter of significance."
It was a handwritten version of the next chapter of the Steven and Lauren love story.
The first installment was written last year.
I'm reading with excitement. The story is funny, emotional, and has a surprise.
Here's what I remember "and the boy bought a ring and is waiting at the crossroads for his love..."
A ring
Wait, what?
For me?
Maxwell Gessert and Mason had instructions to drive me to the crossroads where my love was waiting, along with guests and witnesses to the event.
The proposal.
100% a surprise.
My twin sister Hayley and my dad had flown in that morning. They were hiding out in my mom's house for the day.
Sophia Thompson was there as the photographer.
Steve Colbert & Brenda Colbert also made this memorable trip to the farm!
This whole crew patiently waited as I returned from Grandma's.
The reservations were with the sunset, the magic hour.
And at the Crossroads - the name lovingly applied to this particular part of the farm where I have cried, prayed, sought peace, contemplated life, questioned myself, considered, and wondered where is it that I belong. Will I always be alone?
Steven knew this and used this picturesque and spiritual location
as the place to profess his love and intentions.
He said many beautiful things. I'll be honest; I wish I could recall all the details. I am super grateful for the pictures!