In August 2020, Lauren moved solo from southern California to Chicago for podiatry school, not knowing a single soul. One of Eric's childhood best friends happened to go to the University of Redlands with Lauren, and he suggested that the two meet for Eric to show Lauren around, "even if the two of you end up just being friends". The two met up for their first date one week before the start of medical school in downtown Highland Park, and ended up spending the date at Once Upon a Bagel. The date was cosmic, and each of them knew they had to see the other person again. They spent the next 2 years of their relationship living an hour away from each other while managing the business and rigor of medical and podiatry school, forcing them into a semi-long distance relationship. Every weekend that they could, one of them would travel to spend the weekend with the other. After 2 years of memories, adventures, and constant back-and-forth travel, the two determined they could no longer spend any time apart and decided to move in together. Lauren and Eric's relationship and love for each other only grew further as they continued to build their life together. In April 2023, Lauren traveled to Southern California for a month-long rotation for podiatry school. Lauren was sure she would be spending the month away from her boyfriend, but Eric had other plans. Eric flew to California on April 22, 2023 to surprise Lauren for a weekend visit, and later that night surprised her again by proposing to her at sunset on the beach in Malibu.