Laurens Version Justin was first brought to my attention by my older sister Jessica. She had always tried to play cupid for me, and hit me with her most infamous line "I found the perfect guy for you". I was quite aware of her not so good track record of trying to find me Mr. Right, but decided to hear her out regardless. She began to inform me of this newly single guy, who had recently been through some trying times. Much relatable to what I had been through. So I decide to pull up his good ol' facebook and instantly made a decision I was not interested. Contrary to belief, a guy using a photo of him flexing in a red sleeveless workout T as a profile pic screamed Douchebag to me. Funny coming from a girl who was currently at this time competing in bikini contest, right?Well some time passes by, and for some reason I would still find my self thinking of this guy. I could not get him off my mind. So I decided to just go ahead and send the friend request. Rather quickly, Justin started making little subtle attempts at getting my attention, and initiating conversations, but it took a picture of me double fisting a margarita on National Margarita Day for the sparks to really fly. This finally gave him the courage to ask me out on a date. It was March 17th 2017, when he picked me up from my apartment to take me for tacos & margs. We talked the entire time through dinner, as if we had known each other for years. It was just an instant connection that I could not shake. After dinner wrapped up we decided to venture out on the town. We hit buckets first, and ended the night at the Tavern. So many laughs, and memories were made. My favorite being how he was the one who puked that night! From that day on our relationship just took off. He has opened my eyes and heart to a whole new type of love. One that just comes so naturally. And 3 years later it still feels exactly that way. I have found my forever, the man that exceeds anything I could've ever imagined, my best friend.

It all started with social media (I know how millennial of us right?). I saw a friend request from this hot chick so of course I accepted. I was thinking of ways to spark a conversation without coming off weird and stalkerish. I waited until I saw a pic of her with a margarita because well those are my specialty and obviously something we both have in common (just ask lauren about my famous cosbiritas). We went on our first date St. Patty's day to of course Salsa's to get that Margarita and tacos. We had such a good dinner we went out after to do some bar hopping. I was super nervous being I really liked this girl so I might of had one to many (cough cough) and ended up throwing up. Well needless to say I thought I had ruined it and was super bummed with myself. Lauren being Lauren though understood and never held it against me. I knew she was something special and had a heart of gold putting up with me that night. From that first date on the conversation never stopped and flourished and flourished. I would talk to her from the minute I woke till right before falling asleep. Now almost three years later nothing has changed. She's still the first and last person I want to talk to everyday and for the rest of my life. She is my forever love and I can't wait till April 10, 2021 to say I Do!!!!!

September 22, 2019. BEST DAY EVER!!!! Sunday morning, after dealing with what I felt was the plague that would end my life the day prior, I woke up still feeling as if a truck had repeatedly ran me over. But I knew I had to pull it together because it was football Sunday and we had plans to have his parents, and our two friends over. Which really isn't anything unusual. Sporting his green work hoodie, air dried hair, and the appearance of death, I put on my happy face and embraced everyones company. Nothing seemed off, besides me of course. I remember sitting down at our kitchen table with my second bowl of chili when Layla brought out her violin. This sparked Justin's interest in pulling out his guitar in attempts to play a song with her. Again, nothing unusual here. They always do stuff like this which I can't help but admire. Justin begins to play his guitar to the melody of "The Dance" by Garth Brooks. A song hes been practicing for months. As hes strumming the song, he begins to sing. Things aren't adding up, but I was too involved in feeding my face to even realize what was going on. That was until he sang the word "wife". Like something out of the exorcist, I dropped my spoon, and quickly spun my head around. Something was happening, something magical was happening. My heart dropped, and tears filled my eyes. I take a look next to me at Layla who was crying and in just as much disbelief as me. Justin then dropped to one knee and asked me a question I seriously thought I was going to have to wait 8 years for "Please do me the honor of making me the happiest man by being my wife" Still looking back on this moment I get those same goosebumps. There isn't one thing I would change. Not even the sickness. I always knew Justin was going to do something unexpected to catch me off guard because that's just him. but the thought and love he put into this is just unreal. To be surrounded by our kids, family, and friends in the comfort of our home was everything and more.