We got hitched! (despite 2020)

As many of you know (and experienced yourselves) 2020 absolutely rocked our world. What we thought was going to be a beautiful wedding with a blending of family and friends on our most important and celebrated day... became re-scheduling/re-planning for a microwedding in a different state to now inevitably cancelling our celebration. With the heavy hearts, with little to no progression on safe large gatherings and the blessing from our parents, we have decided to cancel our 2021 reception all together. We were extremely optimistic that we were going to be able to gather this year. For the safety of many high risk members of our families and friends, we couldn't justify throwing a party without EVERYONE we love present. Who knows what the future will bring... baby showers, renewal of the vows, golden anniversaries, when we can finally gather and celebrate with the ones we hold dear. We feel SO blessed we were even able to manage July, which ended up being so beautiful in its own way. We appreciate our parents, siblings, what would've been wedding party, extended family and friends for the incredible support in the last 2 years of our engagement and wedding. We love and appreciate you more than you know. We cannot wait to hug you and celebrate our happiness with you in the near future. Love always, Brad and Lauren

The Missed Connection Lauren met Bradly during his onboarding meeting at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in 2014. Lauren thought he was adorable - one look at his license during his paperwork with a 1990 year of birth, she wrote him off. Bradly after scanning the eligible single women on campus learned that Lauren had a boyfriend at the time and wrote her off as well. Needless to say, their time working together was not what brought them together. Bradly and Lauren had a mutual coworker and “Houston mom” Susan that would always boast about Bradly to Lauren and Lauren to Bradly. She was working her magic for years. In 2016, Bradly left Strake Jesuit to reunite with his Cougars. Lauren left a year after Bradly and honestly never thought she would ever see him again. The Reunion As fate has it, Lauren and Bradly were both single in 2018. “Houston mom” Susan was ready for THE setup. Susan invited Lauren and Bradly to her beach house under the impression this was a big group beach weekend with her old colleagues. After arriving in Bolivar, Bradly and Lauren figured out they were the only ones attending. Yes – just Susan, Bradly, Lauren. It was clear at this point it was a Parent Trap-like setup. The Success Susan took the trio out in Bolivar and had a blast at Ships Wheel! After some dancing, a little drinking, and talking until the wee hours of the morning, Brad asked Lauren on a first date of her choosing. She chose Dave & Buster's, kicked his butt in Arcade Basketball, and the rest is history.

Bradly and I had been dating for a little over a year. I never thought I would ever get married, that I would be lucky enough to find the right guy. I knew before Brad and I started “officially” dating that he could be the one to change my life forever. Even jokingly calling him my future husband to my bridesman, Greg during our time at Jesuit. Something in me knew he was special. When planning my 30th birthday trip, I knew I wanted Bradly to go to Sanibel, visit to Disney/Harry Potter World, and meet my brother and sister in law. It worked out perfectly as Bradly’s colleague was getting married in Tampa mother’s day weekend so decided make our rounds around Florida after. I thought, how great would it be to spend Mother’s Day with his mom too, so we invited her and his sister Katie to join us. That day in Sanibel was a good one. My dad had made his famous pancake breakfast. We spent the day at the beach, Teresa went in the water!!, our family friend Aunt Shelley came to visit, then we went for a few drinks and dinner on Captiva. Filled with fettuccine I was about to nap (read: go into a food coma) when my parents said “let’s go for a walk”. I thought nothing of it because my mom is diligent about getting her steps in. We made our way through our neighborhood in Sanibel all the way to the beach for sunset. As we crossed Blind Pass Bridge, we saw a crane - special to Teresa, Katie, and Bradly, a sign Dale was with us. We get to the beach where Bradly and I start walking at a distance from our families. Brad kept the conversation light until he finally found the perfect place to stop. Before I know it, he got down on one knee. I nod YES!!! He had to ask me twice because I was speechless. The moment was better than I could have ever imagined. I was so happy my parents, his mom, and Katie were there with us. We spent the rest of our week celebrating, and I will spend the rest of my life thanking God (and Dale) for my future husband!