Like many modern love stories, ours began with a simple swipe on Bumble in 2020. On September 25th, we met for our first date at Pour Taproom in Knoxville, TN. It was a warm evening, and we sat outside, talking over a few beers. From the start, the conversation felt effortless—we connected over life, family, our careers, and, most importantly, our shared outlook on fun. Tony, ever the gentleman, refilled my drink without me asking, and before the night was over, he had already set up our next date.

As if the night wasn’t already special, we realized something pretty crazy—our birthdays are just one day apart. Tony was born on September 26, 1992, and I was born on September 27, 1992. And our first date? September 25, 2020. We couldn’t help but laugh at the timing, as if the universe had planned it all along.

There wasn’t a single defining moment when we knew it was love—it was something that grew naturally over time. We realized it in the small, everyday moments: running errands, making dinner together, or simply sitting together on the couch. No matter what we were doing, we just wanted to be together.

Over the years, we’ve created so many incredible memories. One of our favorites was our 2023 trip to Europe, where Tony proposed in Galway, Ireland—the city where Lauren studied abroad in college. Another was a surprise long weekend in Chattanooga that Tony planned from start to finish, including an unforgettable sunset at Lookout Mountain. We’ve also been each other’s biggest cheerleaders—Lauren supporting Tony as he trained for and completed both the Chicago Marathon and Ironman Texas in Houston, and him standing by Lauren’s side through some of life’s biggest challenges.

Tony was Lauren’s rock when she lost her mom, Kim, in 2022, always knowing exactly how to support Lauren through her grief. He also encouraged Lauren every step of the way as she earned her MBA from the University of Illinois. Together, we also took on the adventure of raising our golden retriever, Maisie—learning patience, teamwork, and just how much a puppy can take over your life!

Our engagement was one of the happiest and most unexpected moments of our life. During our trip to Europe, Tony suggested we visit Galway, knowing how much the city meant to Lauren. We took the morning train from Dublin, wandered through the charming streets, and made our way to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. There, on a quiet outcrop overlooking the water, Tony got down on one knee. Lauren had no idea he had been carrying the ring in his pocket all morning! He had always joked that he wouldn’t propose in Ireland since both of his sisters had gotten engaged there—but in the end, he pulled off the ultimate surprise. He even arranged for a photographer, a kind Croatian man who captured the moment and took us around town for more photos. Afterward, we bought a Claddagh ring together and ended the day with a cozy dinner at a pub before heading back to Dublin. It was absolutely perfect.

Tony is one of the most thoughtful and intelligent people anyone could meet. He has a way of making things happen, whether it’s planning a trip, making important life decisions, or simply finding ways to bring joy to those around him. His kindness extends not just to his loved ones but also to his two cats, Scout and Selina, and, of course, to our sweet dog, Maisie.

What Tony loves most about Lauren is how effortless it feels to be around her. He admires her ambition, her ability to plan for the future, and her talent for keeping everything organized. Most importantly, we share a deep sense of humor, constantly riffing off one another’s jokes and finding laughter even in the most ordinary moments.

Together, we complement each other in the best ways. We both are natural planners and love to research, but while Tony is quick to make decisions, Lauren prefers to take her time - including while writing this! He encourages her to trust her instincts, while she helps him slow down and consider the finer details. We enjoy cooking together, exploring new places, and dreaming about the future.

And that future is something we couldn’t be more excited about. We can’t wait to travel more and check off our bucket-list destinations, build a life together filled with adventure and laughter, and create new traditions as we start our own little family. No matter where life takes us, we know one thing for certain—we’ll always be side by side, hand in hand, through it all.

L&T

The Reception

Ceremony