They met at work-of all places! Lauren had just returned from a vacation when she learned there was a new assistant grocery manager at her store. She hadn't even met him yet, but the moment she saw his manager picture, she was interested. For weeks, they passed each other in the aisles without even saying hello, but Lauren always made sure he at least noticed her, even if it was only for a second. Eventually, Lauren couldn't keep her secret any longer. She confessed to her friend and manager, Kelsey, that she had a little crush on the new manager and asked if Kelsey could discreetly find out what he thought of her-very middle school, right? Kelsey played along and asked Ryan if he knew a certain office staff member had a crush on him. His eyes lit up immediately. She didn't reveal who it was, but Ryan's manager, Tim, found out and wasted no time spilling the secret to Ryan anyway. Now Ryan knew, but Lauren still had to find a way to actually talk to him. She started with small excuses, like asking his favorite football team-even though she already knew the answer- just so she could impress him with the Bengals' tight end signing with the Jets. She even went as far as creating a fantasy football league at their store just to ask him to join... and of course, to get his phone number. Finally, about a week later, Lauren got the message she had been waiting for. Ryan texted her to ask when the fantasy football draft was, which turned into a night-long conversation that stretched into the next day. Lauren assumed that would be the end of it, but the very next day, Ryan reached out again, this time just to tell her he went to Chick-Fil-A without her. Clearly, he was finding reasons to keep talking. One evening, Ryan's family stopped by the store and, spotting Lauren, asked if she as the girl Ryan liked. It didn't take long for Lauren to take the next step- she asked Ryan if he wanted to hangout sometime. Before saying yes, Ryan checked with Kelsey to make sure it was allowed. Not only did she give them the green light, but she also joked that this might be Lauren's first date with her future husband- and asked if she could officiate the wedding someday. Before their date, Ryan couldn't wait and picked Lauren up straight from Tires Plus before her car was ready. Their day started with lunch, and it turned into hours of exploring, talking, and even walking on the beach. Neither wanted the date to end. Ryan had plans to do his fantasy draft with his family that evening but ended up bringing Lauren along- she met his entire family on the very first date! Parents, brothers, sisters-in-law, cousins- and his brothers even acted as Ryan's wingmen. After games, ice cream, and hours of conversation, the date finally ended- 14 hours later! From then on, they were inseparable. Ryan even rearranged his work schedule to spend every possible break and day off with Lauren. After just three weeks, he asked her to be his girlfriend. A month later, Lauren was ready to say she loved him, and Ryan didn't hesitate to say it right back. Things moved quickly but naturally. At the start of the new year, Ryan asked Lauren to move in with him after he and his brother got a townhouse. It felt like a big step, but neither of them had any doubts. After almost two years together, Ryan knew it was time to propose. While Lauren was on vacation, he drove to Lake Mary to take her dad out to dinner and ask for his blessing. Her dad was surprised but happily said yes. The next day, Ryan went ring shopping with his mom- and managed to keep the proposal a secret for an entire month. On their 2-year anniversary, Ryan suggested a beach walk before lunch. They dressed up and headed out, but this walk was much longer than usual. After a while, Ryan, with tears in his eyes, told Lauren to look behind her- both of their families were walking towards them on the beach. When she turned back, Ryan was on one knee. Of course, Lauren said yes, and the rest is history.