Lauren hates to admit this - but John and Lauren met online. Always a hopeless romantic, Lauren had envisioned finding her soulmate during a novel-worthy "meet cute" - accidentally receiving each others' mail, reaching for the same apple at the grocery store, or locking eyes on a subway ride.

Instead, the universe brought John and Lauren together through Hinge. They immediately connected over an interest in vocabulary, a love of dogs, and a similar sense of humor. From there, plans for their first date were formed, and John and Lauren met for the first time on July 1st, 2023.

After spending hours deciding what to wear and consulting friends for advice, Lauren took an anxiety-riddled ride to downtown Wilmington to meet John at a local wine bar, The Fortunate Glass. This is where the fairytale magic began. Lauren entered the building, John turned to smile at her, and time stopped for a moment. Thinking to herself, "I'm in trouble here", Lauren now knew that "love at first sight" wasn't only in romance novels.

John fell in love with Lauren three days later, on the 4th of July, when he offered his hand to help her step down from a hill, and she decided not to let go.

Over the next year, Lauren fell more deeply in love with John for his kindness, his patience, and the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles. John continued to fall for Lauren's unrelenting thoughtfulness, cheerful spirit, and internal and external beauty (John's words). They discovered they have similar values and complementary dreams for the future. It was the easiest "yes" of her life when John asked Lauren to marry him on the anniversary of their second date, July 4th, 2024.

This love story may have a modern beginning, but to John and Lauren, it's one for the ages.

L&J