It all started at Creighton University where Lauren was a freshman and Dom was a junior at the time. They officially met in October through club sports. Months of talking and sharing laughs at games and practices quickly led to Lauren asking Dom to get ice cream in early January. A week later they went on their first official date: starting with basketball (which Lauren won) and then brunch at Saddle Creek Breakfast Club. Shortly after they started dating Covid hit and Lauren moved back to Illinois. During this time they had many Des Moines park dates with ice cream, Chick-fil-a, and baseball.

Dom invited Lauren on what she thought was a double date to Lauritzen gardens with their double date pals, Matt and Val. The gardens were decorated for Christmas and there was even live music. While trying to “find” their friends Lauren turned to find Dom on one knee. After she said yes they spent some time at the gardens and then had supper at one of their favorite sushi restaurants, Koji.