Chris and Lauren’s story starts like so many modern romances — on Hinge! They hit it off right away and went on their first date at The Crosby bar in Montclair, NJ, on March 7th, 2020. But just as things were getting exciting, the world shut down because of COVID-19. What followed was a lot of creativity, adaptability, and—let's be honest—getting pretty good at FaceTiming. Over the next two years, they kept the spark alive by making long-distance work, driving 2.5 hours each way from Hoboken, NJ, to Albany, NY, almost every weekend. Finally, in December 2022, they were able to put an end to the long-distance gig and moved in together. Through four years of dating, they survived lockdowns with TV binges and experimental recipes, then transitioned to exploring new places and making memories through travel, adventure, and endless laughter. After attending 15 weddings together as guests (talk about wedding pros!), Chris and Lauren decided it was their turn to host one. Chris popped the question on August 18th, 2024, and now they’re busy planning their own big day!