We met at our young adult's hangout after church playing volleyball. We both were intrigued; Lauren went home with renewed faith in the male population, and Ben went home smitten. We talked a handful of times after, but it wasn't until Lauren (confused on dates) sent a goodbye and have-a-good-life message over social, that he asked her out. We went out for 2 weeks until Ben finished his season, went back home to Florida, and flew out to Australia a few days later for a 6 month contract. Whatsapp became our best friend :) Long phone calls, lots of prayer, calling in many international airports, and counting down the days until we saw each other again filled our months apart. God grew us much during those months and worked in every detail, even to the 14 hr time difference that worked perfectly since Lauren worked nights. Long distance established our relationship so well, and we couldn't be more thankful God led our steps that way. Ben finished his baseball career in Australia and came back to MI in March. We officially began dating, did some more long-distance while he went back to Florida, and periodically made trips to see each other. God brought him to MI in July and provided him a job and housing in a way only He could! We were engaged August 15th and have loved every moment of learning to do life together and growing closer to Christ and each other! We have experienced many ups and downs in this journey, but we are so thankful that God's grace has been and will continue to be sufficient for us! We love only because God has loved us first.