This whole thing started with a fateful meeting on a stairwell...in high school...during class...in Roanoke, Illinois. (You're all hooked, right?) Lauren forgot her math textbook in her locker one day, which had never happened to her before, she always took her textbooks to class with her. Jalen was leaving early that day for a golf match and had left his golf clubs in a school storage closet. Usually, he left his clubs in his truck, but he did not drive himself to school that day. (dramatic music) Finding it strange to run into each other when they were supposed to be in class, they started chatting. They had always been friendly towards one another (after all, they went to the tiniest school ever). But it was this encounter that convinced Jalen to ask Lauren out. Their first date was at the Eureka Football game on September 11, 2009. It was a special date. When Lauren is nervous she can't shut up, and when Jalen is nervous he goes silent. It was meant to be. They talked about everything that night, and continued talking every night. Jalen even picked Lauren up for school in the morning so they wouldn't miss any time together. Moves, college, traveling around the world, and more moves couldn't keep them apart. Eventually, their paths brought them both to Milwaukee where they have been living since 2016 with their dog Murphy. They are so looking forward to celebrating their love and lives together with friends and family!