Jeffrey and Lauren both attended East Carolina University and were both on the Swim and Dive team. Lauren was an incoming freshman and Jeffrey was a rising Junior. They knew each other from the team and from social gatherings on the weekend which typically took place at the boys swim house which is where Jeffrey lived. They started officially dating in the spring of Lauren's freshman year and the rest is history.

Jeffrey knew he always wanted to propose to Lauren in Arizona since that is where she was born and Arizona always held a special place in her heart. We planned to go to Arizona in May for Lauren's grandma's 80th birthday. Jeffrey figured this was the perfect opportunity and Lauren wouldn't see it coming. Fast forward to May 19th, we arrive in Arizona at Lauren's grandmas house. Jeffrey proposed the idea of going on a 6 am hike the next morning. If you know Jeffrey, this is not out of the norm because not only does he like to wake up early but he also never misses an opportunity to workout... even on vacation. The next morning, everyone wakes up bright and early and we begin our steep hike on Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, Arizona. Jeffrey brings a backpack and claims its full of beers for everyone to enjoy at the top. None of us think anything of it since again Jeffrey loves an opportunity to work out and also loves to enjoy beer. We finally get to the top of this treacherous hike and Lauren's dad takes a picture of the two of them. Little did Lauren know, her dad and Jeffrey had a plan up their sleeve. Lauren's dad is distracting her and showing her the picture while Jeffrey is waiting on one knee behind her. Jeffrey asks Lauren to marry him and we soon find out Jeffrey not only brought beers but he had two champagne bottles and a ring box in his backpack. Jeffrey always says good things come in threes- so we had a beautiful proposal, grandma's 80th birthday party and celebrated Lauren's parents 30th wedding anniversary all in one weekend. The weekend couldn't have been any more perfect.