Jeff and Lauren met as young, naive freshman on The Bluff at the University of Portland. They enjoy seeing people's reactions when they say they've known each other since 2011! Jeff was in the infamous all boys dorm, Villa Maria Hall, while Lauren was in the all girls dorm, Mehling Hall, in the same quad on campus. Ironically they never had a class together despite both being business majors. They were friends of friends and their paths crossed on campus and at events and parties throughout the years. Jeff even asked Lauren out senior year, but the timing was off with Lauren starting grad school (PACE) and moving to Tri-Cities, Washington. After graduation, Jeff stayed in Portland working at Columbia Sportswear while Lauren was learning how to be a teacher in Tri-Cities. Again, they continued to stay in touch and made it a point to see each other when Lauren was in Portland for retreats, summer classes, etc. Jeff even asked Lauren out again before PACE graduation, but the timing wasn't right with Lauren being jobless and homeless, moving back to Camp Sherman and trying to find employment. Jeff's work with Carter's (aka Big Baby) took him to Atlanta, Georgia. During his three years in Georgia, they again continued to stay in touch via social media, texting and even phone calls (should've been a sign!). Jeff often made it back to the West Coast to visit family, attend friends' weddings and escape the Atlanta heat. And he typically would take a trip to Camp Sherman with friends (or girlfriends) to spend some time in the woods, making it a point to come to the Store to check in and catch up with Lauren in person. Here's where it all comes together! In October 2023, Jeff's friends Meghan and Morgan got married at Brasada Ranch – they’re the ones to thank for everything! Jeff flew out for the wedding and stayed with Lauren as friends. The brides insisted Jeff bring a plus one! He asked Lauren a couple weeks before their big day to go with him to the welcome party and wedding. Throughout those two days, they reconnected, flirted a little and decided it was time they finally dated! They were distance for a couple months, then Jeff made the big cross-country move to Bend where they’ve been ever since.