On June 18, 2022, a warm summer night in Santa Monica, fate brought Lauren and Phil together at a crowded Irish bar, Jameson's. Lauren was out with her friend and future bridesmaid, Sawyer, while Phil, fresh from a work happy hour, found himself there by chance. Both claim to have noticed the other first, but as they made their way through the bustling crowd, a brief yet unforgettable conversation left a lasting impression on them both. Before the night ended, Phil asked for Lauren’s number and later sent a simple, sweet message just to say hello. Their first date, however, was delayed by the obstacles of pre-planned trips — Phil headed to Champaign, and Lauren to Dallas, to visit their families. During this time apart, Phil sent a follow-up text inviting Lauren on a proper dinner date once they were both back in Los Angeles. Amid the chaos of travel, Lauren accidentally left his message on read, but thoughts of Phil lingered in her mind. Finally, on July 8, 2022, their first date became a reality. They met in Santa Monica for dinner at North Italia, where hours of conversation flew by, followed by drinks at The Bungalow. From that evening on, it was clear to both of them — this was just the beginning of something extraordinary.