After a few weeks of chatting online, James and Laurel decided to meet in Marietta Square for their first date. Laurel walked from the fountain to the gazebo to meet him (which is where they will be married in 2019). Unfortunately for James, the restaurant he'd planned to go to was unexpectedly closed! They ended up at Taqueria Tsunami for dinner, and MacCracken's afterward where they talked for hours. (Yes, James talked for hours!) And the rest is history.

On a date out at Swift-Cantrell Park, Laurel and James had a plan so crazy it just might work. They deleted their dating apps and decided to make their burgeoning romance Facebook-official.

Laurel and James adopted Gunnar, their brindled boxer-mutt, from a local rescue. He was and continues to be an adorable 70-pound pain-in-the-rear.

In August 2016, the pair set down some roots with their first house together in Kennesaw, GA.

It's another boy! James and Laurel adopted an older brother for Gunnar, a black lab mix who they renamed Indiana Jones (or Indyboy).

On a trip to Missoula, MT, James, Laurel, and her friend Lauren embarked on a week-long brewery and distillery tour that culminated at The Rhino. Across from The Rhino is Laurel's favorite place: A Carousel for Missoula. Missoula's carousel was built by donations and hard work of the community, so a lot of love went into this unique place. The carousel is a lot quicker than most, and riders try to snatch colorful rings out of a dragon's mouth as they pass by. The last ring is brass, and the winner is entitled to a free ride. As luck would have it, Laurel, James, Lauren, and Lauren's friend Megan were the ONLY people to ride the usually packed carousel that afternoon, and Laurel grabbed the brass ring. When Lauren insisted a photo be taken, James casually knelt down behind her and asked her to marry him. Afterward, they all went to celebrate at The Rhino to celebrate.