We met through the dating app, OKCupid, on May 27, 2017. Jose had messaged Lauren twice (once when he was visiting LA and then followed up when he officially moved to Redondo Beach from Washington DC). But Lauren never saw these since she was "done dating apps for awhile", but when she logged in one last time she saw Jose's message - thank goodness he followed up, and she finally wrote back! Lauren was Jose's first and last date in LA! They texted a bit back and forth and decided to meet up at Barnacles Bar & Grill in Hermosa Beach, CA. But the thing Lauren forgot to mention to him is she had been at the Fiesta Hermosa (a local street festival) with a big group of friends all day...that were also at Barnacles! Surprise...your 1st date is now a group date! But Jose was a great sport, got a mescal to catch up, and smitten was in the air for both Lauren & Jose. They clicked instantly, laughed, and had pretty much everything in common. 2 days later, they went on their 2nd date, and the rest is history... Now after almost 5-years since their first (group) date, they have finally decided to take the plunge (and make their parents happy) and get married...finally! They have built a beach life together - buying a condo 4 blocks from Santa Monica Beach, have 2 furbabies - a ridiculously handsome tuxedo cat, Lord Boddington, and a beyond adorable and sweet Boston Terrier puppy, Bebe Wahlburger, and they are looking forward to a honeymoon (and much needed vacation) in 2022! **JOSE'S EDITOR NOTES COMING SOON**