Exhausted with the Columbus dating scene, Lauren graciously replied back to Jake's Bumble message in late June 2023. Their mutual curiosity of the world was one of the first things they bonded over. After talking about their Bucket Lists and a shared desire of visiting Asia, Jake invited Lauren out to Min-Ga, a local Korean restaurant. Their first date was on July 1, 2023. After that night, Jake & Lauren have been inseparable.

In their time together, Jake and Lauren have started a home, travelled across the country multiple times, been to three continents, six countries, and have kissed in two oceans. Jake even got Lauren to try fish... once... on the promise he'd never do it again.

As we look to our upcoming ceremony and the life we'll build together, we can't tell you how thrilled we are to have you with us. Even if you are unable to attend, we look forward to having you in our lives now and always.

We felt it was appropriate for each of us to write a personal note about when we knew we knew we loved one another:

I knew I loved Lauren back on one of our first dates at Barcelona. She was taking her time describing her former commute to Hudson Yards when she worked in New York, complete with rearranging the salt, pepper, and sugar on the table to make a crude map of the High Line.

Up until that point, I had never met a woman that was not only so strong-willed, but passionate about where she's been and where she wants to go. Lauren's drive, intellect, and desire to get out of her comfort zone and do new things were intoxicating. I saved my first and only "I Love You" for the woman I wanted to marry. On December 13th, 2023, I told Lauren she was The One.

As we continue to learn and grow together, I cannot be more excited for the things to come. Through the good times and the bad, you've always been there for me and have endlessly supported me. I used to hear this growing up, but never really got "You'll know when you've met the right person" until I actually did.

From the Northern Lights to Taiwanese jungles, New York skyscrapers to Cambodian temples, we've already seen so much. I can't be happier than when I proposed, you were so excited you didn't even let me finish asking for your hand in marriage before you shouted "Yes!".

I love you so much, baby. Here's to the rest of the world and the rest of our lives. Together.

A few weeks after the date at Barcelona, Jake left to go to Mexico for a week and a half to celebrate his brother, David, passing the Bar. As they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder and that was certainly true for me. On top of missing him while he was gone, Jake had just passed a test he didn’t know was coming with flying colors. Despite me not telling my family that we were dating, they had secretly known about his existence since the beginning. He was shockingly calm and not phased when I told him they had been tracking my location and knew about every date we had been on in addition to his voting record, work history, and phone number.

Between being able to handle the curveballs from my family and leaving to go on a vacation without me, I knew I had found the one. Once I knew, I had to jump straight into logistics and ask Jake to move in with me, giving him almost six months’ notice before his lease was up. Amongst many other traits, I am very grateful that I found someone more romantic than me.

I am so thankful how compatible we are living together and as travel partners. You’re always able to calm me down and make me feel better. You constantly spoil me whether it’s bringing home flowers or cooking me dinner. I look forward to all the major milestones that lie ahead with you and can’t wait to see what the future brings. I love you!