We’re getting married!

We honestly can't pinpoint *how* we met and paint a picture with specific details, BUT we can confidently say *where* we met - Pike High School (Go Red Devils). We were both student athletes (Chris football/track and me soccer/cheerleading) and had mutual friends through sports. Yes, if you attended any of Chris's football games, I was cheering on the sidelines. ;) We would see each other during passing periods, sporting events/social events, and though we crushed on each other, we never really had the opportunity to date one another at that time. We went to different colleges and moved to different states, and would check in with a "happy birthday" text or a "congratulations" comment on social media. As cliche as it sounds, everything truly happens for a reason and happens at the right time. In hindsight, we were both praying for each other (our future partners) and we didn't even know it. Eventually, God placed us back into each other's lives to cultivate a solid, joyful, loving, and beautiful relationship. We'll get more sappy during the vows.... haha until then, we love you all and are very thankful for our family and friends for supporting, raising, and shaping us to be who we are as individuals and who we are as a couple. We can't wait to share this day with you all and finally make what we have official!

Chris had planted several seeds during Summer 2020... For example, early on in the summer, he pitched the idea of doing weekend "date nights" and getting dressed up for these date nights. When it was his turn to plan a date the weekend of 10/24/20, he planned a date at Newfields Art Museum, which has an annual Harvest Festival (that's where we got our Fall themed background for our photos). We walked around the festival, stopped at the beer garden to grab some cider, took a photo, and then walked to the Lily House, a small historical landmark within the art museum, which ironically was hosting a wedding at the time. After exiting the museum, Chris and I started walking down a trail that led to a lake. While walking, Chris began to share sweet words about our relationship and our future lives together. In my mind I'm thinking "YES THIS IS IT!!!!". We got to a bridge on the trail, and Chris got down on one knee with his gorgeous smile and a beautiful ring. He had photographers and a videographer there for this moment and subsequently we had a photo shoot! Next, Chris took me to the JW Marriott, downtown Indianapolis, where close family and friends surprised us! We enjoyed *socially distanced* drinks, food, photos, and LOVE from everyone there. The next morning, Chris surprised me with a video documenting the ENTIRE engagement process from the summer when he received my parent's blessing to the night before the proposal! One of the qualities that I love about Chris is that he is extremely thoughtful. He planned a unique, special, unforgettable, and safe proposal in the middle of a pandemic! When I would ask Chris about our future plans, he would always tell me that he's playing chess, and I'm playing checkers, and he was right.... haha absolutely one of the best weekends of my life! Lauren