April 12, 2025

Derek and Lauren first met at Lux Middle School when they crossed paths in many classes, however, they did not connect until their junior year of high school. Lauren went to many East High baseball games with her girlfriends and thought Derek was cute so she decided to add him on snapchat and they began talking back and forth right away. Over spring break, Peyton (matron of honor) forced Derek into finally asking Lauren for her number. They continued talking but did not have a chance to spend time together between Lauren's dance competitions every weekend and Derek's busy baseball schedule. When prom season was approaching, Derek and Luke (best man) worked for hours creating the "pro(m)posal" sign to ask Lauren to prom. Their first date was East High's prom on April 13th, 2015! Over a month later they officially started dating on May 31st, 2015.

Derek and Lauren planned a trip to visit their close friends Luke and Karoline in New York City a couple weeks before Christmas. Thanks to the help of their friends, Derek was able to pull off the proposal without Lauren knowing. He proposed in Central Park on December 16, 2023 after over 8 1/2 years of dating!