Lauren and Braden met on a mission trip to Honduras volunteering with the organization Pure Thirst (annoyingly wholesome, we know). Braden was in his senior year and Lauren was in her junior year at Duquesne University. They both helped with the efforts to install a water purification system and provide assistance for a medical clinic in a rural community outside of Copán. Early in to the trip, Lauren noticed Braden making obvious attempts to be near her, she also caught him staring at her on numerous occasions, which she thought was kind of weird to be honest. Braden will tell you that the moment he knew Lauren was the one was when he watched her play a lively game of pick up soccer with the local men in the community. Lauren played with an intensity that was completely uncalled for, knocking over several local Honduran men (many laughs from the local crowd were garnered) and slide tackling the unsuspecting goalie to score a glorious goal. Lauren will tell you that the moment she knew that Braden was the one was when they were working on constructing a water spigot to distribute the purified water from the water treatment system. While Braden was applying the cement to the cinder blocks and noticed Lauren looking on with curiosity, rather than mansplaining to her how to do the task at hand, he simply handed her the tools and said "go for it". On the last day in Honduras, the group took a boat trip out to an island and Braden somehow managed to get Lauren on an ocean fishing excursion with him (obviously to display to her his greatest strength...also, could Braden's love story NOT include fishing, I think not). Anyway, they both caught fish (Lauren wishes she could say she caught the bigger fish, sorry to disappoint). The locals were kind enough to cook the fish they caught and they shared a lovely and delicious meal together. When they returned to Pittsburgh their love story continued and 7 years later they will be husband and wife!