"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you."

Once upon a time, on a fateful Valentine's Day weekend in 2018, two college kids met at a mutual friend's 21st birthday party in Milwaukee, WI. It wasn't until several months later, in September 2018, Garrett's good college friend, Robert, was dating one of Lauren's nursing school friends, Christine. Garrett hitched a ride with Robert to visit Lauren in Winona, MN. Garrett and Lauren held their first date at Jefferson's Bar & Grille, where together they shared draft beers and French Dip sandwiches. The two became an "official" couple at Oktoberfest in La Crosse, WI, in the beer tent in September 2018 - how romantic! Following Lauren's college graduation in May 2019, she moved to Rochester, MN to start her nursing career. Shortly thereafter, Garrett moved to Minneapolis, MN in August 2019 to start graduate school. In their spare days, they both consistently traveled between cities in order to spend time with each other. In May of 2022, Lauren relocated to Minneapolis and the couple moved into an apartment together in the Northeast neighborhood. They built a comfortable life together surrounded by friends, fun, and fantastic food. Many cherished memories were made and Lottie (the dog) was welcomed to the family. Their relationship continued to deepen and grow even faster than Garrett's 100+ plants.

In the summer of June 2023, Lauren and Garrett took a weekend trip to New York City with their friends, Brady and Daniela. Saturday morning arrived and the trip itinerary outlined a morning of bagels in Central Park. Lauren was starving and she couldn't wait. Garrett was sweating. Lauren was hungry so she didn't notice. After getting ready and a quick google search "best bagels in midtown," the group took off toward Central Park. Lauren with a mission to eat bagels and the rest of the group awaiting the proposal. They purchased a dozen bagels and 3 tubs of cream cheese for breakfast. On their walk, Daniela suggested they grab a bottle of champagne at a bodega. Again, Lauren was so hungry she didn't think anything of it. And, it's vacation! A glass of bubbly at 10 AM sounds like a great idea. With enough bagels, cream cheese, and champagne to feed army, the group arrived at Central Park and nestled along Turtle Pond, with the Belvidere castle behind them. Garrett kindly asked Lauren if she wanted a glass of champagne, and she responded with "No, I want to eat this bagel because I'm starving." As he was down on one knee, Garrett said "I have another question for you..." The rest is history.

Following their engagement, in September 2023, Lauren and Garrett, with their pup Lottie, and 40 plants in tow, packed up their lives and moved to San Diego, California. Out on the West Coast the two enjoy being outside year round, entertaining friends and family who come to visit, cooking, hiking, and traveling up and down the coast. Lauren continues to bake and Garrett continues to garden. It's been a wonderful chapter!