Joshua and Lauren matched on Tender (yes, the dating app) in October of 2020. After going back and forth for about a month we decided that we should meet each other in the real world. On our first date Joshua was so tired he fell asleep about 10 minutes into the movie. For whatever reason, even with the lack of conversation, they both decided to meet up again the next night. The next night Joshua and Lauren ended up talking for hours about everything under the sun. This was the start of the next five years. Since then, they have experienced loss, love, happiness and sadness and everything in between. With Joshua’s support, Lauren finished school and because a midwife. Lauren and Joshua got two cats together (Nezuko and Ren), who are the most spoiled babies ever. With Lauren’s support Joshua has broken into the IT world and escaped the prison that is Publix (only Publix people will know). They have packed up their suitcases and have traveled the world many of times. Lauren and Joshua have grown over the last five years, independently and together. They have learned patience, forgiveness, compromise and how great their lives are together. In 2025, Joshua had the pleasure of proposing to Lauren in the emergency room in Tokyo Japan (ask us for our story and why Ben Versola is responsible for this tragedy). Despite Joshua’s inability to get on one knee , Lauren already knew that she would say “Yes” to Joshua no matter how he proposed. That leads us to the present day. We are planning our wedding (a small intimate ceremony), and we hope that no matter how near or far, you will be able to celebrate our love with us! We will be having bridal showers in both Georgia and Florida to celebrate our matrimony.

On a very gloomy day in Tokyo , Japan, Lauren and Joshua went out exploring. They first visited Meiji Jingu Shrine where they got a prophecy, witnessed a local wedding, and soaked in the rich culture of Japan. With the persistent guidance from our friend, Ben, Joshua and Lauren began their journey to the next stop of their day. Due to Ben’s caffeine addiction, we had to make a pit stop to a coffee shop. While leaving the coffee shop, Joshua slipped on wet stairs. When he fell Lauren immediately knew something was wrong. Joshua was yelling in pain and holding his knee. Lauren had the owners of the coffee shop call the ambulance. Joshua was then transported to a local emergency room in Tokyo. At the emergency room Joshua was diagnosed with a ruptured patella tendon and was advised to return to the states for reconstructive surgery. Our time in Japan was cut 14 days short. We were overwhelmed with sadness, gratefulness and gratitude for each other. After getting the cast applied to his leg joshua was waiting to be discharged. Overwhelmed with all the emotions , Joshua turned to Lauren and said “ I really wanted to do this in a more romantic way and I hope one day I get the opportunity to redo Japan”. It was in this moment that Joshua reached into his backpack and pulled out a small box with an engagement ring inside. Joshua then read a speech he had previously written before the accident. He then ended his speech with the best question ever, “ Lauren Michel Bugner, will you do me the absolute honor and marry me?”. With tears in her eyes Lauren smiled and said “ Well, are you going to get down on one knee?”. The both started laughing, probably a little to loud for Japanese culture. Lauren said yes, because she knew without a doubt that in this lifetime and the next she would always say yes. Less than 24 hours later Lauren and Joshua headed back to the states for reconstructive surgery on Joshua’s knee. He is now in the process of recovering and will be ready to dance his booty off at his wedding.