It starts on a sunny, scorching day, on July 25th, 2020. I (Camden) was attending a friend's wedding, and there was a celebrity in my midst. No, not Caleb Fruhling, who is a musical genius and was playing cello for the wedding that day. But Lauren Vogel, the songbird of Veritas Church. The angel with the equally majestic vocal cords. Now, being around Veritas for some time already, I had known who Lauren was, but who was I to talk to her? Who was I to stand in her presence? Well, we were both seeking solace under the shade of a tree, and I happened to introduce myself to her. We chatted for a bit, and that was the extent of the first time I met Lauren Jo Vogel.

Flash forward three years, I had graduated and was on staff with Salt, Veritas' college ministry. Lauren and I had become friends through our interactions on staff and by being in the same connection group. But in my unsubtle and childish ways, I had definitely developed a crush for her. I remember I would attend connection group with the hopes of sitting near her. I always tried to talk to her at staff meetings and other social events. I even bought her some birthday presents (just candy) out of nowhere because I thought that was slick. That spring was a tumultuous time in my head, because I couldn’t stop talking about her to my friends, but also I couldn’t just man up and pull the trigger to ask her out. I was leaving for a two-week tour of Israel and Greece in mid-April, and I did not want to leave with an unsettled mind and heart. Thankfully, I had the help of the Salt staff team, and on April 6th, 2023, after many failed attempts, if you could call them that, miraculously I asked Lauren Vogel out. I wasn’t able to “secure the bag” (as the kids say) at Salt that night, but somehow she was convinced to come out afterwards to Foundry restaurant (which she never does, keep that in mind). I purposefully parked my car next to hers, and as we were walking out, I did it in a sheepish and quiet way. By God’s amazing grace she said yes. Afterwards as we were getting to our cars, I accidentally exclaimed, “I did it!”, which Lauren followed with a chuckle and a “Yes, you did.”

We went on our first date that next Monday, April 10th. I took her to Marquee Pizza in Coralville; she had of course out-dressed me, and after dinner, we walked around, drove to places from our past, and got ice cream to end the night. It was an awesome night, AND she said yes to a second date. Another crazy thing that happened was after dropping her off (and yes, I hugged her, it was magical), I got frigging pulled over on the way home lol! I didn’t get a ticket but the cop pulled me over for swerving. Safe to say it was from the effect of a night spent with Lauren Vogel.

Our second date was two days later, on Wednesday April 12th, at Sidekick Coffee. That same day I left for the two-week trip to Israel and Greece. While in Jerusalem I facetimed her, let’s say we talked for quite a bit ;) After getting back, we didn’t waste any time and we went on our third date at a local restaurant named 126. And then weirdly, without making her my girlfriend, I held her hand, which threw the whole thing into confusion. Finally after two days I was called out by a friend to tell her how I felt and lead her, thus prompting me to make her my girlfriend on May 1st, 2023, as she was minutes away from leaving for a work trip and we were standing in the Veritas auditorium (really romantic, huh?).

Thus started the most fun and amazing year of my life as we grew to know each other more and experience life together. Let me tell you, this time flew by. It was such a blast and just so fun and easy! Lauren is the most loving, gentle, kind, and thoughtful person I know, and I am so thankful for that year of dating her.

Some other cool dates to note: On October 9th, 2023, I told her that I loved her, because I had never been so sure about something in my life. On March 12th, 2024, with the song “Faithfully” by Journey singing over the speakers, I bought the ring that I was going to use to propose to my best friend. On April 27th, the ring was set and ready to go. I snuck into the jewelry store with my location turned off and picked it up, resulting in a 10 minute crying session in my car in the parking lot. And two days later on Monday, April 29th, I proposed to Lauren Vogel at Kent State Park. It was such a memorable night, not just because when I proposed the box was upside down, or when I stood up, I accidentally hit her in the chin – those were not the reasons it was memorable. It was because I got to make the most beautiful and biggest decision of my life with the one the Lord had graciously placed in my life. It was a culmination of a lot of (like too much) love and grace from the One who gives it freely.

To sum it up... looking backward and forward, we see grace upon grace, and we are so excited to experience the rest of the story God has written for us. We can't wait to celebrate His faithfulness with you in November!

L&C

Wedding Day