A winding love story with several locations, a few mutual friends, and a whole lot of destiny… To appreciate the end we must go back to the beginning, which starts in two faraway places, Wimbledon England (tennis anyone?) and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Where our groom Felix Granzelius & bride Lauren Stahl were born, respectively. As you can see, it took several acts of fate and perhaps a whole lot of luck for these two to finally meet. Starting their lives worlds apart, it wasn’t until Felix and his family moved to Grand Haven, MI when he was just 8 years old, bringing he and Lauren to live only 42 mins apart. From there they lived separate lives until high school where Felix & Lauren may have crossed paths at similar parties and tailgating experiences (maybe cracked an underage beer or 2), but yet again their paths geographically separated when Lauren decided to go to the best school in the USA called ASU!!!! Forks up baby….(sorry Sun Devil Alum writing this). Ahem, back to the story… After Lauren finished her undergrad as a Sun Devil, she had the Midwesterners dream of making it in the Windy City. At this time, Felix also set out plans in Chicago and enrolled at DePaul University. Finally, living in the same city, these two had a chance to meet. Leave it to brunch and a few mimosas to get this love story going. Lauren had her sights set on Felix and Felix was uhhhh….looking who knows where! Like most men, Felix was oblivious to the fact that Lauren was interested, so she did what she does best and took matters into her own hands. She marched right up to Felix and told him what a hunk she thought he was. Startled and a little bit awestruck, Felix was taken back by Lauren’s forwardness. However, it’s just the type of confirmation Felix needed to pursue Lauren from that moment forward. That moment of courage and determination set the stage for their entire relationship. From there, Lauren and Felix have been each other’s rock, mirror, and partner in crime.

Felix was smitten by Lauren, bringing her coffee to her early morning shifts at the W Hotel in Chicago…little did he know Lauren actually didn't drink coffee, but she let him continue with his kind gestures. Lauren was just as crazy about Felix, I mean come on he’s 6’3 and Swedish, what’s not to love? It wasn’t long before Lauren made a career move to Worldwide Express where she has been for over 4 years. As she made her way up the corporate ladder and Felix continued with school, they were faced with the first test of their relationship. Lauren was offered a promotion in Kansas City, MO. Assuming that Felix would want to stay behind and finish school she was torn and heartbroken. However, when she confronted Felix with her dilemma, he knew exactly what he wanted. He told Lauren that they were a package deal and he wasn’t going to let anything come between him and his little honey buns. Just like that, they packed up their bags and started a new life together in KC, not to mention adopted a new sports team, GO CHIEFS!! I think that anyone who knows Lauren and Felix understands that they live life on their own time and in their own way. They moved in quickly, moved across the country together, left jobs for each other, work at the same company, and even talk politics together (YIKES)! One would have thought this could all be a recipe for disaster, but day in and day out these two beat the odds together and have enough love to make anyone a believer in forever. Cheers to Felix and Lauren, always toasting to forever. Lauren and Felix currently reside in Kansas in their new home with their cat Thor and dog Loki…stay tuned for more of their love story. --Written by the Maid of Honor, Briana Basler