After days of agonizing over how to respond to each other on Bumble, we finally met up at Triple Crossing Downtown. Lauren had "plans" she had to get to with friends so our first date was supposed to just be a few beers. After said beers, it was clear we wanted to spend even more time together. We spent a few more hours talking over dinner and it was clear Lauren's plans were not in fact real plans, but an escape plan in case the date wasn't good. Safe to say after a 7 hour first date, Lauren didn't need back up plans moving forward.

One of our most favorite rituals with eachother is Sunday Funday. Since our very first date at Triple Crossing Downtown, winding down the week (or starting the week, pending your view) on a Sunday at a Richmond local brewery became our "thing." Except for this one Sunday when Lauren was in a crabby mood and wanted to nap instead. She woke up, asked if Derus still wanted to go, and then rolled out in jeans and sneakers - which tipped Derus off to realize she had no idea what was coming. Lauren still didn't put it together when the stools from their first date just happened to be open. When the music switched to her favorite Dave Matthews song, "Here On Out" - it took Derus getting on one knee for her to finally realize what was happening and that this had all been organized. Derus said "will you be mine from here on out?" and once Lauren stopped being in shock, she said yes!