(Written from Lauren's perspective) We will get this out of the way... We met on a dating website (Tinder specifically). We both felt like we weren't meeting anyone and decided to give online dating a try. Our first date was at Red Robin. Zach snuck out from the Air Force Academy and changed out of Service Dress in his car. I told my friends I was going on a date and that if I didn't come back I had probably been kidnapped. On our second date we went to Baker St. Pub with a couple of our friends (you might see them in our wedding party). We have been inseparable ever since. Throughout the past several years we have grown a lot together. Zach graduated from the Air Force Academy and commissioned into the Space Force. I somehow made it through an accelerated nursing program and started working as a nurse. Despite our busy lives we have always made each other a priority. A friend asked us recently how we knew we had found "the one." For me, it has always been Zach. Ever since I met him at Red Robin he has been a constant in my life. I had never met someone who was so kind, genuine, and honest and who made me feel so loved and secure. I knew within a couple of months that he was the man I wanted to spend my life with. We are so excited for the adventures to come and to spend our lives loving one another!

(Written from Zach's perspective) I guess I couldn’t narrow it down to a single moment when I knew I wanted to be with Lauren forever, but I do remember thinking how much better my life had been with her. When I finally sat myself down and thought about my future in the Air Force I couldn’t imagine it without Lauren. I had bought the ring and had it shipped home to Washington knowing I was going to propose when she was out in Nine Mile Falls over the summer. I had the ring for 3 or so months leading up the proposal. I may have hinted to Lauren that I had a ring which had her thinking I could propose at any time. I began to notice any date or outing we had she would always dress a little nicer than normal. I'll save the details, but I had my fun messing with her for a couple months. Fast forward to the weekend Lauren came out. I had her convinced my aunt was taking family pictures one night because my sister and I were home together for the first time in years. We had family friends who live on a hill overlooking the lake and timed the lighting perfectly. We had set out flowers shaped in a heart and my aunt hid trying to capture the moment in the raw emotion. I thought I would have something to say but everything went out the window when I tried to find the box hidden in the green grass and red flowers (I'll blame it on being color deficient) and I was nervous out of my mind. I wouldn't be here explaining this if she didn't say yes. So hopefully I'll do better with my vows, probably write them down or something.