Believe it or not, Nick and Lauren’s story began nine years ago during their freshman year at Concordia University of Irvine. Nick was on the water polo team, Lauren played volleyball, and they first crossed paths at a college house party. At the time, they were both in other relationships, so it was just a casual introduction. Lauren was already friends with some of Nick’s teammates, and over time, their paths continued to cross. Once they were both single, the connection between them was immediate. Their first date was at Yogurtland, and just a few weeks later, Nick asked Lauren to be his girlfriend during a sunset walk in Laguna Beach. Throughout college, their relationship continued to grow. Between practices, classes, and campus life, Nick and Lauren supported each other through the ups and downs of college. They celebrated wins on the court and in the pool, leaned on each other during stressful times, and built a foundation of trust and friendship that carried them through those formative years. Whether it was grabbing coffee between lectures or spending weekends exploring Southern California, they grew not just as a couple, but as individuals — always encouraging one another to chase their goals. After college graduation, Nick moved to Dallas to begin graduate school for occupational therapy at the University of St. Augustine, while Lauren remained in California to complete her student teaching. They navigated long distance for half a year with plenty of FaceTime calls and surprise visits to Texas and California! Later that year, Lauren relocated to Dallas, where they settled into their first apartment — and welcomed their dog, Luna, into the mix. Three years after moving to Dallas, Nick’s clinical placement brought them to Fort Worth, a city they quickly grew to love. After Nick graduated from graduate school in 2023, Nick began working at Harris Hospital in downtown, and Lauren continued working as a 3rd grade teacher! Over the next few years, they navigated working full time, explored the city, went on lots of walks on the Trinity Trail and met lots of new friends! May 3rd, 2025- the day Nick asked Lauren to marry her! Nick asked Lauren if she wanted to go on walk before dinner plans with their friends. She wasn’t thrilled about the idea (she’d already showered and was ready to go), but he was persistent. After some convincing, Lauren finally caved and they went outside for a stroll. On the Trinity Trail, with Luna beside them, Nick handed Lauren his phone and asked her to watch a video — a collection of photos and memories from our years together. When it ended, he got down on one knee... and, OF COURSE, she said yes! Lauren tackled Nick to the ground and they sat out on the trail and soaked up this moment as fiancés!