Lauren and Chris are getting hitched!

We met on the dating app, Hinge. After a few weeks of conversation, we had our first date at Rustico in Oak Park. It went well, but it was our second date when we knew this was something special. We discovered our shared love of oysters, so we ate at The Smith in downtown Chicago. What was supposed to be just lunch, turned into a 9-hour-long date complete with a walk along the river and several stops for drinks and conversation. The date was punctuated with our natural silliness and playful personalities that made conversation lively and effortless. Our compatibility was further evidenced during our quest to find a bathroom. We determined the best course of action would be to sneak into a hotel lobby. We readily took on the personas of absent-minded tourists (to not raise suspicion…or something). The silly notion devolved into a lengthy, hilarious backstory complete with imaginary children--who neither one of us was successfully keeping track of--and goofy marital squabbles. This unique brand of humor remains a fixture in our relationship. The day was so memorable that Chris proposed to Lauren at The Smith three years later. At the end of our second date, Chris asked Lauren, "Is this chemistry?" After nearly four years together, a cat, a shared home, 21,000 miles of travel, and countless oysters consumed, it's safe to say: yes, this is chemistry! Thank you for supporting us and our relationship! We are excited to celebrate and party with you at our wedding on Oct. 4, 2025!