It's finally happening!

They go back and forth about the actual moment that they "met" back in 2008, between 8th grade and their freshman year of high school. They had a lot of mutual friends that brought them together through pool parties, movie theater trips, and get-togethers. Brenden finally mustered up the courage to Lauren out after "talking" for 8 months on June 26, 2009. He chose to ask her on the beach after riding his bike over 10 miles to meet at her hotel.. then the rest was history. They hung out more and more as time went on and became inseparable quickly. They even ended up spending their senior year of high school at the same school. Then, they decided to go to Purdue University together. A couple of years after graduating, they made the choice to move to Valparaiso together, where Lauren is currently teaching and Brenden is in sales. The two of them have come so far from that day on the beach in 2009. They have been through many ups and downs together and came out stronger than ever. It didn't take them long to figure out that they didn't want to do life without the other in it. Together they believe they can take on anything!

Brenden got many of their close friends from home and immediate family together on November 23, 2019 to "finally" pop the big question. He decided to do it at a place that they shared many memories from prom pictures to picnic dates-- at his childhood/parent's house on the dock. He decked it out with string lights (which Lauren is obsessed with) and rose petals. He played the song that he once played for her in high school back in 2011, when he said, "One day I'm going to propose to you with this song" as Lauren walked down the steps and the lights went on. She was completely shocked, not realizing it was coming. There were definitely some excited tears shed from both of them, and their hearts were soaring. As if that wasn't enough, they went inside to an engagement party with many of their loved ones. It was SUCH an amazing day!