One of Chad and Lauren’s mutual friends, Kalee, was on a mission to play match maker. Kalee was Lauren’s college best friend who she went through the accounting program together at SIUE and studied for the CPA exam together and Chad, a recent graduate from Lindenwood in Marketing, was close friends with Kalee’s boyfriend, Cameron. Kalee spoke highly of Chad and Lauren to one another. It wasn’t until thorough planning that the two had met one night at a mutual friend gathering. The two strangers saw each other for the first time learning various stories about each other while engaging in innocent flirting, such as pouring tequila in Chad’s drink and teaching each other how to country line dance to copper head road. The two left that night feeling as if this could be something special. The deal was sealed on their second meeting at Cameron’s birthday party, where they shared their first kiss. In that moment, Chad requested to take Lauren on a real date, where they could get to know each other in a more personal setting. Through a series of first dates to the Spaghetti Factory, AMC Theaters and AB Brewery Light Tours, the two grew enamored of each other wanting to spend more time together and on Christmas Eve Chad asked Lauren to be his girlfriend.

Chad and Lauren went ring shopping in April on Lauren's birthday. Chad kindly reminded Lauren that they were "just looking". However, they quickly fell in love with one ring together and the sales person was quick to say it must be the one if she said "I LOVE IT!". Leaving the store, Lauren thought they were just shopping but that was the night Chad secured the ring. Lauren was still studying for the CPA exam and knew that studying was her first priority and was awaiting her last exam score at the end of June. Having the ring for two months began to make Chad feel paranoid every time he thought that Lauren had stumbled upon it putting his socks away in his sock drawer. Only feeling nervous, Lauren had no idea. Chad knew he needed to execute his proposal sooner than Lauren receiving her scores and requested the help of no other than Lauren's married best friends Claire and Cameron. Chad knew he wanted to propose with a puppy as Lauren had been repeatedly tagging him in puppy pictures and videos on social media daily. Claire helped Chad search and found an adorable chihuahua, who would soon be named Mango. Cameron, Chad and Claire let Lauren know they were having a weekend of grilling, drinks and laying by the pool. Chad left and told Lauren he was picking up propane for the grill. Lauren, having no idea about how grilling works, had no idea they had PLENTY of propane. Chad immediately left to “go to the store” which begun his proposal process.He met with Claire and Cameron to meet Mango for the first time and pick up puppy essentials. Having the ring, puppy, and location in mind secured, Chad was ready to ask the girl of his dreams to marry him. Claire and Cameron left to go to the house without Chad and asked Lauren if she wanted to go on a walk. The two friends led Lauren to their favorite evening walking pond where Chad surprised Lauren holding Mango that had a collar asking if Lauren would marry him.