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!

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