Photos

This was the photo Deidra sent Laurie of Ben the day that they met at Charlie's. You can see why Laurie fell in love with him: he's cute & knows how to match his hat to his polo! #keeper

Ladies & gentlemen, we have for you here the first EVER text exchange between Ben & Laurie. It only took Laurie seconds after getting off the phone to send him a quick reply!

Laurie has three sisters. They all wanted to know what she looked like for her first date with Ben. Good thing she documented it because we have it for you here! Hair was courtesy of Anna Wojak.

This was Laurie on her way to her second date with Ben. Again this was documentation for her sisters. They went to Piloni's to eat & Ben still remembers the dress she wore!

Yes, that's right. This is a photo of Laurie holding a fish on the fourth date. She couldn't tell you the kind of fish it is because she didn’t care. All she cared about was fishing with Benji!

Ben makes sure to send Laurie photos while he's traveling. This was on his way to Sarasota, Florida on a fishing trip with a coworker in September 2020.

Another travel photo. Once Ben sent this, Laurie immediately made the decision to marry him & have all of his babies. It was the backwards hat. She just had to wait sixteen months for him to propose.

More barn photos. Laurie loved helping her Benny-Wenny.

Don't worry. No dogs were harmed in this photo. Daph forgave Laurie. But it was this night that Laurie asked Ben if she could make their relationship Facebook official!!

Laurie would join Ben on his hunting expeditions. This was during a deer hunting excursion & Laurie was freezing her buns off!

For their first Valentine’s Day, Laurie had an artist make a caricature of her & Ben. I mean, it’s not far from reality. ;)

Their first Valentine's Day! Look at the two love birds!! Ben got deathly sick after this meal. Just ask him.

One of the couples many trips to Turkey Run.

Another Turkey Run trip makes for great photo opps!

Ben loves basketball & has wanted to attend March Madness for years. In 2021, that want finally came to fruition. Here, they are outside of Lucas Oil Stadium.

Celebrating with Isaac who found the golden Easter egg!

Ben loves to garden. This is a photo of him posing with the sunflower growing in his garden that he was so proud of.

Now this is a photo of Ben being plain weird. He likes that sunflower just a TOO too much. COME OFF IT, BEN!

Laurie took Ben out for his birthday. He ESPECIALLY liked the dessert portion: crème brûlée! It became a fast favorite of his!

Ben & Laurie both have a shared history of running. More so Ben than Laurie in recent years but they enjoyed this Covington 5K TOGEVA!

Ben & Laurie take themed parties VERY seriously! This was Laurie’s nieces’ first birthday party & you can just TELL how much fun they both had. Ben won best dressed. #stellar

Ben bought his home in 2019 & immediately began construction on a garage. This was when he was installing the favor & soffits. He stacked that scaffolding himself. Be still my heart.

Laurie doesn’t like heights but she likes Ben. So, she’ll got to great lengths to join him in his work.

Ben & Laurie celebrated their one year dating anniversary at a very nice restaurant in Champaign, IL. Here’s Ben partaking of the pretzel bread & beer cheese!

Ben’s a good sharer. He’s always sharing his cuisine with Laurie & that’s a good thing because Laurie likes her food!

Dessert is ALWAYS on the menu when Ben & Laurie eat out & this time was no different! Ben’s approval of this dessert shows that it was yummy in his tummy.

Laurie LOVES giving gifts. It’s one of her love languages. Ben’s had to learn how to receive an excessive amount of gifts including this nice pillow made in Laurie’s likeness. The book was also good.

Riding on the Ferris Wheel at the annual Covington Fair! The smiles came after Laurie didn’t talk to Ben after getting on the ride. She’s not a huge fan of heights but he ThOuGhT It WoUlD bE FuN.

If there are two things Ben loves it's Laurie & the Fourth of July! He knows how to show his love for both.

Ben & Laurie love the outdoors! This was a trip to Shades State Park. They loved the landscape, views, & overall park.

Ben & Laurie loved trying out the arcade in town. Ben made sure to beat her. Hard. #jerk

Ben chose his house because it’s on the river; he loves to fish. He sent this photo to Laurie while fishing in said river. WHAT A HOTTIE!

Ben has competed in several races in his lifetime. Laurie thought she’d try the Tough Mudder with him & WHAT A GOOD DECISION THAT WAS! This is both of them clean prior to the race.

After running the Tough Mudder together, Ben & Laurie were not only tougher together but also muddier together! They thoroughly enjoyed it!

Ben & Laurie flying to Greece in the Indianapolis Children's Museum.

During a trip to Wisconsin, Ben made sure to make a trip to Lambau Field. He didn't see Aaron Rodgers but he did get a photo outside of the famous stadium!

The infamous fishing boat trip that almost took Laurie’s sanity or what bit of sanity she’s ever had. But Ben remained calm. This is a beautiful photo of Lake Michigan.

HE GOT ONE! One of many fish Ben & Laurie caught that day.

Laurie caught some too! Can you tell how proud she is?!

Don't be fooled. Laurie may be smiling but that's only after she spent the past hour laying on her back trying not to watch the waves jostling the boat. She was terrified but smiled for the photo.

Showing off their catch after a fishing expedition!

More fishing!

All smiles during the Luke Bryant concert. Laurie is NOT a country music fan but her man is. She'll just have to learn.

Laurie doesn't remember what Ben was telling her but it must've been HILARIOUS!

Hanging out at the annual Crisis Pregnancy Center Banquet.

Nothing says love like hairspray & rocker hair! Ben & Laurie hosted their first Halloween party.

Ben was by Laurie's side when she had her surprise appendectomy. What a great guy!

Daph loves her Benny. You can tell in this photo.

Ben & Laurie cuddling in front of their live Christmas tree!

Ben & Laurie about to embark on one of their many road trips!

Laurie can't take Ben anywhere! Look at him here! GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER, BEN!

Laurie's a little hoity-toity when she's eating Italian.

Laurie couldn't contain herself! She has a thing for tiramisu.

Ben loves a good treat! Look at him posing with the dessert.

Ben asked Laurie to spend the rest of her life with him. She said that she'd think about it. :D He's the love of her life!

Ben & Laurie made it to their second March Madness & watched St. Pete beat Kentucky!

Ben loves to treat Laurie for her birthday. He also loves the bread pudding at Stables, so he takes her there. It all works out.

Ben still documents his trips for Laurie. This is him letting her know that he arrived safe & sound in the airport in Atlanta for a business trip.