Lauren and Chet met at Valparaiso University in 2017 while Lauren was starting her second year and Chet, his final year. They met at party hosted by some of Chet's teammates the weekend prior to classes beginning. Lauren was rounding up her friends to drive them home when she noticed Chet walking down the street. Lauren offered Chet a ride and, after failing to convince her that he only lived a few blocks away and didn't need one, he reluctantly joined her friends in the backseat. After what seemed to Lauren like much more than "a few blocks away", she dropped Chet off at his apartment in downtown Valpo.

Chet was grateful for the ride and told Lauren "I owe you dinner!" Not thinking he would follow through, Chet reached out to Lauren a day later asking about dinner. When asked if she would prefer home cooked pork-chops or go out for burgers, Lauren quickly requested the burger! Chet later learned that pork-chops are Lauren's least favorite food.

Their first date was at Burger Haus on August 26th, 2017. This would would become their annual dinner date for years to come.

Over the years together, they were able to take many vacations together. Their most memorable one was their trip to Colorado following Lauren's completion of PA school. During a 14 mile hike, Chet proposed at a beautiful, secluded lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. He claims that he chose a long hike to make sure she was worth it!

Following this, Lauren and Chet moved to Grand Rapids, MI at the beginning of 2022 where she started her career as a Physician Assistant at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Chet also started a new job with the move and is working at SunMed as a quality engineer. They are enjoying their life together where they are meeting new people, playing various sports, and spending time with their loved ones...including their cat, Delta.

Over the years, they have continued to grow as individuals and as a couple. They have transitioned from boyfriend and girlfriend to fiancés, and are soon to be husband and wife. However, they will always remain best friends.

Chet and Lauren are truly grateful for every single person in their lives who have helped them become the people they are today. "Our Story" would not be complete without you.