Well, the story started originally with an evening at the church young adults group. Matt was friends with the group leader and Lauren was a volunteer at the group. Matt & his buddy were invited by the group leader to take photos for the group, but also invited to join during group discussion. Lauren attended the post college discussion weekly. Come to find out, Matt sat across from Lauren during that night's discussion, remembered her outfit, & casually snapped a photo with her in it. Lauren on the other hand, didn't even remember Matt (lol, ooops). This was in November of 2022 (a season both Matt & Lauren reflect on as a time of life where pursuing relationships wasn't a thought or priority). Fast forward -- in February of 2023, Lauren began her online dating journey. She used to dabble here and there, but enough was enough, she wasn't meeting anyone naturally, and every blind date or potential date at that just never followed through. After about 5 months of what seemed like endless online trash, Lauren saw Matt's profile, & made her move by liking Matt's prompt that said "Great sense of humor, has a travel bug, can live life slowly in the fast lane, is a hard worker, a kind heart, honesty and candor, quick to listen, loves nature, a big dreamer, loves Mexican food, loves the Lord, loves family." He liked her back, sent her a casual message & they hit it off. After only a day of intentional conversation, they figured out they had mutual coworker friends. Lauren immediately connected with them & was affirmed to continue pursuing the relationship, so Lauren asked to get coffee the next day!! BOLD. Since that first coffee date, things felt different. Matt was inquisitive, told the best stories, and left Lauren desiring to get to know him more. Lauren was and I quote from Matt, "hot, genuine, kind, and laughed at my jokes." How captivating ;) lol Since that first coffee date, there has been so much fun, travel, adventure, challenges, & lots of bringing their lives together!