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April 30, 2022
Raleigh, NC

Lauren & Ari

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Ari

Grode

&

Lauren

Smith

April 30, 2022

Raleigh, NC

Our Story

Ari and I met when I joined the Michigan State waterski team my freshman year of college. We were good friends throughout college and he was one of the few people I trusted pinning for me when I would do toe tricks. We made many memories together during our time at Michigan State including competing at nationals together, collegiate All Stars and spending spring breaks at waterski schools. We even lived together in a big ski house with 6 other friends my junior year! It wasn't until after I graduated college that we began to hangout more one on one. I think being the only two people on the ski team that actually liked to trick ski helped quite a lot. One night Ari had the crazy idea to try and win tickets to the Insane Clown Posse concert through a radio contest. Neither of us even remotely liked ICP but it seemed like a random adventure, so I decided to go along. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), we didn't win the tickets and with no backup plans decided to cook some dinner and watch a movie at his place. After a bottle of wine (or two), some delicious food, and lots of laughing, we kissed and have been together ever since. Last October, we took a road trip and spent 10 days hiking and climbing in Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama. On the third day of the trip we spent the night camping at Grayson Highlands State Park. Ari asked me to be his wife on top of one of the biggest boulders in the park surrounded by a 360 degree view of Grayson Highlands in full fall colors. We spent the rest of the night feeding wild ponies, drinking champagne, and watching a beautiful sunset. It was absolutely perfect. After a year together in East Lansing, two years in Durham (where I began PA school) and a year in Brier Creek, we now own a home in Raleigh, NC, with our two adorable cats (Cleo and Leroy). We couldn't be more excited to start a new chapter in our lives as husband and wife. We look forward to celebrating with you all!

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