We’re getting married!

Lauren's Perspective: We met on OkCupid. Both of us had different motivations for pursuing a free online dating site. Jeremy was looking for something and someone different from the relationships he'd had before, and I was new to New York City and looking to meet people (and maybe get a free drink or two out of it after spending all my money to relocate to the big city)! After a slew of horrible OkCupid first dates, I reluctantly decided to meet the cute guy I'd been messaging with. He recommended a bar near Times Square. I promptly replied with "no, I don't go there". I really did everything I could to make this date not happen. Thankfully, Jeremy, being the kind and accommodating human he is, went along with the location change and chose The Delancey on the Lower East Side. We talked and laughed for hours. Like a true gentleman, he put me in a cab, without a kiss, and texted me immediately to schedule the second date. Right away I knew he was someone really special! We have been inseparable ever since!

Jeremy's Perspective: The Location A defining moment in our relationship was the choice to bet on ourselves and on each other by moving to Denver: a bet we doubled-down on by moving into a house together. It was obvious that the next bet on our relationship needed to take place in the house which had since become a home. The Plan Our relationship has been blessed with so many wonderful experiences and so much love. It was essential for me to convey my excitement to take this next step with Lauren in a way that acknowledged all of it. I framed 7 pictures which represented different stages of our relationship and commemorated our 7 beautiful years together. Each picture was covered and had an unlit candle next to it. I also hid a large mirror which symbolized where we were in the present and where we would be going together following our engagement. The Prelude Knowing that such an emotional evening was headed our way, I thought I could make Lauren feel at ease by bringing her to our favorite cocktail bar and restaurant prior to bringing her home to propose. Instead, what commenced were 3 hours of sheer anxiety: conversation was minimal, appetites were gone, and at one point in the evening, Lauren frisked me to see if I had a ring on me (I didn't). Seeing her stress, I suggested we skip dessert and head home. This only caused more anxiety as Lauren thought I’d be proposing at dessert. The Proposal As we arrived home, I kissed her, told her I loved her and opened the door. Lauren walked down a candle-lit pathway covered in flowers to our backyard. I uncovered each picture, spoke of the commitment it represented, and lit a candle to symbolize re-dedicating myself to that commitment. Following 7 pictures, candles, and commitments, we uncovered the mirror, spoke of who we are and where we would be going together, and each lit a final candle to commit ourselves to one another for the rest of our lives. I then dropped to one knee, popped the question, and SHE SAID YES!