we're Getting Married!

Christian and Lauren's journey began during the summer of 2016, but Christian had had his eyes on Lauren long before then. The two met through Dove Church's youth group in the 6th grade, but Christian first reached out during the spring of the sophomore year of high school. "He would send me bible verses and check up on me and ask how my day was going, and it was all really sweet," Lauren said about the start of their friendship. "It was only until he talked to me in person, though, that it all really clicked for me. We could talk for hours, and it was all just so natural." That summer a couple of months later, they went to a youth camp at the beach in Alabama, and as they grew closer to God, they also grew closer to each other. It was almost as if God had given each of them their person. "We would wade out into the water or walk along the beach away from the others just so that we could be alone with each others' company. We talked about life and God and our families and just about everything." After that summer, the two returned closer than ever and began their relationship that was based on humor and friendship and faith, and, eventually, love. "All it took was a conversation," she said. "It was genuine, it was easy, and I realized I never wanted the conversation to end. And here we are"

Christian proposed to Lauren on October 3rd, 2021, a beautiful and starry Saturday evening. "Lauren had been hinting to me that she wanted to be engaged before the holidays because we had never been able to spend them together before, and I knew it was the right time, so I picked a place I knew she'd love," he said. Earlier that evening, the two went to see the "Night Lights" lantern festival in Dallas that Lauren had been raving about for months. Lauren initially didn't know though. "I didn't think it was going to happen since we were in Lubbock, but little did I know that Christian had the tickets all along," she said. "The day before, he had me pack my bags and told me that we were going to Roswell New Mexico. I was excited because I had always wanted to go there, but I was also a little disappointed because I knew the festival was that weekend, which meant we wouldn't get to go." Christian had the plan all along, though, and working with Lauren's roommates, he was able to organize this charade so that the others could build what would be a beautiful display. Once in the car, Christian spilled the beans about the festival and why she had had to pack a bag, and Lauren was so surprised. She described how it "was absolutely beautiful and worth the drive." The two then headed back to Southlake, but Christian took a detour. "Once we got to Southlake, he pulled over and handed me a blindfold to put on. Eventually, we got to where we were headed, and he walked me blindfolded, up some steps, to a gazebo." The proposal occurred at Bicentennial Park under a gazebo that was decorated with flower petals, candles, a beautiful backdrop, and balloons. Right in the middle were light-up words that said: Marry Me. "I was in awe. He got down on one knee, and I said yes to marrying my best friend. It was, truly, the easiest decision I have ever had to make."