Derek and Lauren met their sophomore year at Rutgers University when a mutual friend, Christina, introduced them at Derek's fraternity. Their connection was instant, marked by a night of dancing and laughter with friends. They defied distance as their careers led them to separate states, Derek to Massachusetts and Lauren to New Jersey. Their love only grew stronger during long weekends of traveling back and forth. However, the distance between them proved short-lived. Just nine months later, Derek made the move back to New Jersey, solidifying their commitment to each other. Derek proposed on September 6th, 2022, in Rome, Italy, where she had studied abroad. Christina, the ever-present witness to their love story was there again this time playing photographer to capture the moment. Lauren and Derek now live in Park Slope, New York, where their love story continues to evolve, just as beautifully as it began at Rutgers University all those years ago.