Lauren + Joe met in the spring of 2018. On their first date, they bonded over oysters at a casual waterside bar in Virginia Beach. Afterward, Joe got Boomer and they headed to a local park. After walking around and chatting for hours about life & their dreams, Boomer ended up making the first move giving Lauren a doggy kiss on the cheek.

After a night camping with a friend, Lauren returned to Richmond to spend one of the first nice Spring days with Joe. It was a typical Saturday, taking the dogs to their favorite secret spot in downtown Richmond. Secluded. Spacious. Special. The dogs, Captain and Boomer, ran around, and around, and around because after Lauren asked many times if Joe was ready to go, he kept saying, “in a little bit”. As Lauren grew more impatient, Joe got more nervous. He finally pulled her in, told her he loved her and how he wanted to spend the rest of their lives together!