As we're writing this today (September 21st, 2024) we have been together for 8 years, 3 months, and 6 days. Lauren will happily take credit for making their relationship official that day in June. Henry was on his way to freshman orientation at Creighton and she wanted to be SURE she was his girlfriend. If you were to ask anyone who knew us in high school, they would tell you that "it was always Lauren and Henry." Lauren had an unspoken crush on Henry, Henry had a well-known crush on Lauren. Henry took Lauren to prom junior year. They had fun and Henry tried to turn his crush into something more, but Lauren wasn't there yet. So for two long years, Henry was patient. Fast forward to the last day of senior year; Lauren and Henry signed each other's yearbooks with cryptic messages about being together at Creighton (don't worry, we'll be finding the exact notes when we're home for Christmas) and celebrated with their friends at a party. Henry was Mr. DJ as Lauren was leaving the party. He played the "Don't Let Me Down" Illenium remix by the Chainsmokers which Lauren hadn't heard but really liked. She texted him and asked for the name of the song, and they haven't stopped talking to each other since.

On June 23rd, 2022, Lauren and Henry left Omaha, Nebraska and made their way across the country to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their two years of long distance was finally over. If you know Lauren, you know that moving away from her family is a big ask. If you know Henry, you know that living in Philly was always a dream of his. So Lauren and Henry decided to take a risk and start their lives together in a brand new city. The "city of brotherly love" quickly became the "city of Lauren and Henry's love" and Philly will forever be a special part of their relationship.

The "girl gang" (Lauren, Paige, and their mom, Kristin) planned a girl's weekend to celebrate Paige's birthday. They met in Chicago where Paige lives. Timestamp: Thursday, 10/26: In Philly, Henry dropped Lauren at the airport on Thursday evening and headed back to their apartment...or so Lauren thought. Behind the scenes, Henry, Paige, and Lauren's parents (Matt and Kristin) had been planning the ultimate surprise. This was not going to be just a girl's weekend, but rather Lauren and Henry's engagement weekend. Timestamp: Friday, 10/27: In Chicago, the girl gang is reunited and going about their typical girl's weekend plans: shop, talk, laugh, repeat. In Philly, Henry is boarding a flight to Chicago to meet Matt (Lauren's dad - Lauren also has no idea that he will be in Chicago). The girls go to dinner at their favorite restaurant Quartino to celebrate Paige's birthday. Meanwhile, the boys (Henry and Matt) meet up in Chicago and go out for drinks before the big day. At this point, you might be wondering how Lauren still has no idea that Henry is in Chicago. Here are a few details: a) Paige helped Henry turn off his location in such a way that wouldn't notify Lauren. For all she knew, he was still in Philly. b) The Petty family group chat had been SHUT. DOWN. Nobody was to text in the group chat until after the engagement. There was no room for a slip-up considering Lauren had no idea her dad was also in Chicago. c) Kristin and Matt texted secretly on Friday night to make sure the girls never crossed paths with the boys. Now let's get to the best part. Timestamp: Saturday, 10/28: The girls are up and about shopping in the city. They stop at their usual stores and walk their usual path. When they reach Michigan Avenue, Lauren's mom points out one of their favorite churches and how pretty it looks on this crisp, fall day. The church has a courtyard that the girls had never wandered through so they thought they'd go take a look. Lauren walks into the courtyard, admiring the architecture and fall leaves, oblivious to her surroundings. Kristin nudges Lauren and says "oh look at that!" Lauren turns her head, and there, a few feet in front of her, is Henry. Kristin and Paige run off to hide, Lauren is in shock, and Henry has officially pulled off the greatest surprise proposal of all time. There's photos, champagne, hugs, tears, smiles, a second surprise when Lauren sees her dad, Matt, with flowers, and so begins Lauren and Henry's forever. Henry will tell you he wanted the proposal to be the biggest surprise of Lauren's life and it was just that.