It all started when Carmine started working at the same Petsmart Lauren worked at in Manalapan back in the summer of 2014. Carmine and Lauren had a quick connection that developed from coworkers to friends almost instantly. Every one of their coworkers saw the sparks flying between them even before they did and they all made sure to bring it up to them at any possible moment. It started becoming more apparent to them that maybe they did like each other after Carmine DJed Lauren's youngest sister's Sweet 16. The two of them talked for hours and it was their first time really hanging out outside of work. Them talking for hours didn’t go unnoticed. Lauren's family saw what they couldn't at the time and everyone made it a goal to tell Lauren how much Carmine "definitely liked her". Lauren laughed it off, because they were "just friends", but it was hard to not continue to think about the possibility after that. Fast forward to the end of the summer after many backyard hang outs with our Petsmart crew, Lauren and Carmine's bond became so much stronger. They started going out just the two of them, Carmine would bring her a single rose since she had always said she wasn't really a flower person. Lauren thought it was the sweetest gesture! Their first true date before they started dating was going to see Jurassic World in IMAX. After that, Carmine surprised her on the date that would officially start their relationship. Lauren had never been to a hibachi restaurant before, so he made sure to bring her to her first hibachi experience. He brought her to a hibachi place in Pier Village and they had an amazing evening. After dinner, they went for a walk on the boardwalk and then made their way down to the beach. They found a jungle gym in the shape of a boat and climb onto it. There, Carmine asked Lauren to be his girlfriend after she re-enacted the "I'm flying" scene of Rose from Titanic. Because what else are you supposed to do when you're on a boat shape jungle gym?

Carmine popped the question in a way Lauren never would've ever imagined. It took place on the night of August 21st, 2019 in Asbury Park. Every year since before they were dating, Carmine and Lauren would attend the viewing of the movie "Jaws" on the beach. Carmine had organized an elaborate plan for the night of the movie. He invited all our friends, siblings, and parents to "watch" the movie with them. It was originally supposed to be a surprise that all these people would be there, but Lauren ended up extending the invitation to their friends and siblings. Carmine had gotten in touch with the people who do the event and submitted a video montage to them to play before the movie. Once everyone was there and the movie was starting, Lauren was distracted by her phone trying to post a cute photo of the two them Carmine's sister took of them earlier in the evening. Carmine kept trying to get Lauren to put her phone down and when she finally did and looked up she was confused by the photos of them that were appearing on the screen and the music of "Die a Happy Man" by Thomas Rhett playing. That song had been "their" song since they started dating. Eventually, Lauren figured out what was happening, but she couldn't believe it. And next thing she knew, the montage ended with a "Will you marry me?" and Carmine got down on one knee, presenting a beautiful engagement ring. She said "yes" and the crowd of movie viewers and people on the boardwalk, that Lauren forgot they were in the middle of currently, all started cheering and clapping. They never did get to finish watching the movie though, as the night ended with a photoshoot on the boardwalk and celebratory drinks with their loving family at Porta.