Laurel and Brian met in November of 2016, through their mutual friend (and best man), Luke Raber. Laurel was attending law school at American University in DC with Luke, and she couldn’t go home to Minnesota for Thanksgiving. Luke and his family kindly invited Laurel to stay with them for the holiday in Wilmington, Delaware. While in Delaware, Luke had plans to get breakfast with his best friend from Wilmington Friends School, Brian. He let Laurel tag along. Laurel’s first impression of Brian was 1. Wow he is tall! and 2. Wow, he was so funny! Years went by and Laurel and Brian saw each other briefly at each Thanksgiving holiday in Delaware. Each time Laurel was reminded of how cute, funny, and kind Brian was. Finally, in February of 2019 Laurel and Brian reconnected in Washington, DC, while Brian was visiting Luke. The rest is history! Brian and Laurel started their relationship long-distance because Brian was living in Philadelphia. Laurel gladly took on this distraction from her last semester of law school. Quickly Brian and Laurel realized that they were meant for each other. Brian’s easy-going, outgoing personality, and his witty humor was a perfect match for Laurel’s adventurous and fun-loving personality. Brian moved to DC at the beginning of the pandemic, and they eventually moved back to Philadelphia in 2021. Some highlights of their time together include traveling to Aruba after Laurel’s bar exam, winter and summer fun at the farm in Minnesota, trips to the Delaware beaches with the Raber family, exploring DC and Philly together, and of course their engagement on the beach in Kennebunk, Maine. Brian and Laurel are so thankful for their family and friends, who are planning to travel to celebrate their marriage in Minnesota, and for those who will be celebrating from afar in spirit!