We technically met twice. The first meeting was while we were doing research in Fall 2021 under the same professor at the University of Kansas's Physics and Astronomy Department; however, the meeting didn't stick as it was brief and we were both wearing masks. Fortunately, we attended the same church in Lawrence and our pastor reintroduced us in Spring 2022, claiming he "wasn't a matchmaker." We began talking more throughout the course of the following summer and fall, and sparks were certainly present, especially at a church retreat and Friday-night basketball. On November 1st of that year, we went out on our first date to get "coffee" at Java Break. After that night, we both knew there would be many more dates to come.

When Lauren came to visit Cole in Switzerland, she knew there was a proposal on the horizon. What she didn't know was that it would be just hours after she landed. Cole had a location in mind for the proposal (Montreaux, Switzerland) but didn't want to give anything away. So when Lauren arrived, he acted like he had never been there before, suggesting it as a way to see more of the countryside via train. After a scenic walk along the Lake Geneva promenade, Cole asked a passing couple for a picture in front of the lake and promptly dropped to one knee and proposed. Lauren said "yes!" Another couple from a nearby restaurant generously sent the newly engaged couple two glasses of champagne (which Cole spilled half of on his new fiancée).