We’re getting married!

Lauren and Joshua’s love story is a beautiful testament to God’s faithfulness, weaving together years of friendship, distance, and devotion into something truly special. Their journey began in the summer of 2015 at a youth group at Sunrise Church in Saint Peter, Minnesota. At the time, Lauren was in fifth grade, and Joshua was in sixth. Though they grew up just 15 minutes apart—Joshua attending middle school in Cleveland and Lauren in nearby Saint Peter—their paths truly crossed through their shared faith. Shortly after they met, Joshua’s family moved north to Mille Lacs Lake. But instead of growing apart, this became a season where their connection deepened. Long car rides between Cleveland and Mille Lacs were filled with FaceTime calls, and daily Snapchat messages kept them close. Lauren had the biggest crush on Joshua, but she kept it to herself, convinced every other girl must have felt the same way. However, as school started back up that fall, life got busy, and their conversations slowly faded. Years passed, and it wasn’t until November 2022 that Joshua reached out to Lauren again—this time through Instagram. By then, Lauren was a junior at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, and Joshua was working full-time as a plumber. What started as casual conversations quickly turned into something more. When Lauren returned home to Minnesota for the holidays, Joshua asked her out on a date. She said yes, and it didn’t take long for her to realize just how special he was—so special that she invited him to her family’s Thanksgiving just three days later! That Christmas, their relationship became official. Through long-distance challenges, they leaned on the Lord and each other, growing in faith and love. Lauren finished her junior year in Arizona while Joshua remained in Minnesota, but as summer arrived, they soaked up every moment together—Joshua working as a plumber and Lauren waitressing at Green Mill in Willmar. As the end of summer approached, Joshua made a bold and heartfelt decision. Long distance was no longer an option—he wanted to be by Lauren’s side. So, before she returned to Phoenix for her senior year, Joshua packed up and moved to Arizona, finding a new plumbing job while Lauren completed her degree in psychology at GCU. Then, on a perfect October day—10/10/24—Joshua got down on one knee and asked Lauren to be his wife. Through all the years, miles, and seasons of life, God had been writing their love story. With every twist and turn, He strengthened their bond, teaching them the beauty of trust, patience, and faith. Now, as they step into this new chapter, their hearts are full of gratitude, knowing that the Lord has been with them every step of the way—and will continue to be in the years to come.