Andrew and Lauren met teaching in Shanghai, China. Their friend, Alison, introduced Lauren to Andrew after meeting “tall, cute boys” at their school’s beginning-of-year orientation. When Lauren convinced a group to try a smoked pig snout, an odd gift given to her and Alison at their joint birthday party, Andrew asked her on a date. Their first date was at Kota’s Kitchen, a Beatles-themed yakitori bar. They went on to spend three more years in China (and traveling throughout Asia and Europe) before moving to Boston for graduate school and then Washington, DC. They now live in Charlotte with their two beloved dogs, Obi and Arya.

After spending the holidays apart, Andrew and Lauren spent their anniversary weekend having a “staycation” in Georgetown. After a day of shopping and seeing the holiday lights, it started to snow. They went back to their hotel to warm up with a bottle of wine (Cline Ancient Vines, which two of their best friends, Adam and Amanda, introduced them to in Napa). Knowing Lauren loves surprises, Andrew gave her an Apple Watch to distract her while he got on one knee with her mom’s wedding ring. They celebrated with falafel (Lauren’s favorite food) at Falafel Inc. and Belgian beers at the Sovereign as the snow continued to fall. It ended up being the biggest snowstorm of the season!