We're getting married!

Lauren and Joe's story is one that began close to thirty years ago long before either of them actually met... When Lauren was a little girl Joe's older sister Krista actually used to babysit Lauren and her brother Mike. But they never knew each other. And then years later when they were both in high school and Joe was in the school play his senior year Lauren sat in the audience one night watching him on stage and was smitten. But they still had never met. It wasn't until they were in college together just by happenstance that they finally came to meet. Sitting next to each other for an entire semester sharing sideways glances before finally striking up a conversation. And then they became friends. For a long time Lauren and Joe were best friends, always being a source of comfort and advice and support. As time went on that friendship became the foundation for something that evolved into a deep love and caring for one another. Almost ten years after they first sat next to each other in that afternoon of Anthropology class these two best friends went on their first date as a couple. After four years of dating Joe moved to Oregon and they started a new chapter of their relationship that stretched over 700 miles and lasted another two years. It was during this time that their bond was tested the most, having to go months between seeing each other but it was also during this time that Joe knew Lauren was the one, and he bought a ring. And then on Christmas Eve in the middle of a snowstorm in downtown Portland right in the middle of the Pearl District Joe pulled Lauren aside to a quiet spot and asked if she would spend the rest of their lives together. And now here we are today on the edge of that next chapter celebrating their story and their future.

It was Christmas Eve and the plan was to drive up to Portland and pick up Joe's brother and sister-in-law from the airport. Beforehand Joe was going to take a brief detour and take Lauren to the Grotto, a 62 acre botanical garden and Catholic sanctuary that is famously decorated each Christmas season head to toe in Christmas lights. Joe had even driven up the weekend before to visit the Grotto to map out his plan and pick a particularly stunning spot in the midst of the garden and the natural rock walls where he would get down on one knee and pop the question. But as with most perfectly laid plans, things don't always quite work out like we hope. The day's weather quickly changed from cold freezing rain to snow and ice and the Grotto closed for the storm. Plan B was now in effect, but Joe never thought to even have a plan B. Instead they decided to leave their car at the airport and take a train in to downtown, maybe inspiration would strike. Along the way as they walked to dinner Lauren kept trying to warm her hand in Joe's coat but he kept pulling her away afraid she might feel the ring in his pocket. After dinner, they strolled through one of their favorite neighborhoods the Peal District. Joe nervously thought this was the moment and pulled Lauren in to an abandoned patio that was closed for the snow but still beautifully lit with Christmas lights. Joe stupidly (his own words) didn't get down on his knee afraid of slipping on the ice, and if you were to ask him what he said, he would have absolutely no idea. But if you were to ask him how she looked that night he would tell you how beautiful she was and the way her eyes teared up when he showed her the ring.