Lauren and Zach started their journey together in December of 2017 with a date at Silver Diner, the same place Zach worked his first job. On this date, Zach learned that Lauren didn’t eat chocolate and was a fan of the Washington Commanders. Despite the devastating news, Zach continued spending time with Lauren, and they began a long-distance relationship. Zach was in his first year at Wake Forest, while Lauren finished her time at Glen Allen High School, where they first laid eyes on one another. They had shared trips back and forth, attending Proms and Homecomings and Wake Football games, Presidential Balls, and Parties.

In 2019 Lauren began her first year at Appalachian State University, while Zach began his third year at Wake Forest. They split time at each school, and their long-distance relationship became just a bit shorter. The two of them went through multiple phases in choosing a career, but they both knew they wanted to be involved in healthcare. Zach had wavered between Medical, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant School, and Lauren was deciding between Physical Therapy, Psychology, and Healthcare Administration. They eventually chose to become a Physician Assistant and Healthcare Administrator, respectively. Now that Lauren was an administrator, she could finally tell Zach what to do. Whether or not he’d listen was the bigger challenge.

Zach finished his undergraduate degree and graduated in May 2021, when the pandemic resulted in Lauren watching his graduation from the Best Western hotel room. Lauren graduated early from App State a year later. Just before Lauren’s graduation, Zach surprised Lauren with a proposal during her graduation pictures for them to spend the rest of their lives together. Although Lauren doesn’t like surprises, I think it’s safe to say she loved this one.

Over the next two years, Zach and Lauren will finish their graduate degrees to become a Physician Assistant and a Healthcare Administrator. Zach completed his degree at High Point University, and Lauren returned to Richmond to finish her degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. Zach and Lauren will live in Durham, North Carolina with their fluffy son Boone for two years as Lauren completes her Fellowship at Duke Regional Hospital. The two are now headed back to Richmond after six years together to get married at the Estate at River Run on December 20th, 2024!