They met for the first time on a “blind date” at Molly’s at the Market on Decatur in May 2013. Having only texted a few times before Molly’s, they knew they clicked but definitely didn’t realize how much. After Molly’s they went their separate ways for a few days, but realized they didn’t really enjoy being separate. Fast forward to a few months later. They take a trip to San Francisco. During the trip Lauren gets to meet Matthew’s Aunts & Uncles that live there. They all have dinner. Lauren feels the love. Matthew feels the love. It was lovely. A few days later they get back to Nola and just can’t keep it in anymore. They both burst out, “I THINK I LOVE YOU, OK?!” They kissed, they laughed, they loved! Fast forward to a week later, Matthew insists Lauren moves into his studio apartment on Bayou St. John with his two dogs Beretta and Berkeley. Lauren obviously says, “be there in 5 with all of my things!”, since she lived close by in the 7th Ward, which apparently wasn’t close enough for Matthew! Fast forward to now, 2019. They are still living, loving and growing on Bayou St. John together and hope to stay there for awhile. They think love always wins.

After Thanksgiving Matthew pushed for Lauren to take a Saturday off of work to decompress. Lauren sarcastically said, “Me take off a Saturday? No way!” and compromised to work a half day. Matthew had made reservations at their favorite neighborhood French restaurant, Café Degas. Matthew and Lauren started cocktailing it up while enjoying their covered table top of French Cuisine. Lauren couldn’t help herself after a few sips of her Negroni and said, “Matthew, when are you going to marry me?” with a giggle and a smirk. He laughed, took a sip of his Old Fashion and was saved by the server asking if they wanted dessert. Conversation changed and before Lauren knew it, Matthew was down on one knee asking her to marry him. Lauren thought she was either dreaming or maybe had one too many cocktails. The restaurant clapped and cheered and wished them well, which helped verify it indeed was not a dream. They left Café Degas and went to the place where it all started. Molly’s at the Market. Lauren didn’t stop crying for days.