Mark and Lauren graduated from University of Dallas. Mark was class of '19 and Lauren was class of '21. With just over 1,400 undergraduate students, you'd assume that we met in college at UD. On the contrary, we managed to avoid making each other's acquaintance, all while running around similar friend circles. However, as fate would have it, two of our mutual friends fell in love and got married May 2022 in San Diego, CA. Us being the party people that we are, decided individually that we would both love to celebrate Maddie and Joe Vondrachek's marriage. There was magic in the air that night, but apparently not with the dates that we had for the wedding. His Story: As dinner was set to begin, I settled into my seat with an appetite for steak and wine. However, my hunger quickly faded as my eyes were drawn to an auburn haired beauty in a red dress sitting down across the table from me. Luckily, neither of our dates were there yet and I knew the friend she arrived at the table with, which just so happened to be her matron of honor, Clare. Immediately, I exchanged pleasantries with Clare, who then introduced me to the auburn-haired beauty that had caught my eye. You guessed it, it was Lauren. Boy, am I glad I dry cleaned my suit for that wedding! After a brief introduction, the bride informed me I would be switched to a different table for dinner, so I made sure to bid adieu to the pretty lady with a backwards left-handed handshake as I juggled my dinner and drink. This all transpired within 2 minutes time and that is where the story our night together ends. However, I posted a video of the wedding on Instagram the next day and this is where it gets interesting. 1 month goes by before Lauren likes the video on IG. Having the presence of mind to recognize 21st century social cues, I took it as a gesture of courtship. Chivalrously, I slid into her DM's and asked her out for a coffee or paddleboarding date. We instead, ended up at Bar Louie after a Roughrider's game to chat over a couple of below average margaritas. But, for some reason they tasted good enough to have two that night. Now I know why, I would be happy to drink a couple of below average margs if it meant more time on the first date with my future wife.

The air was charged with palpable excitement, and the laughter of guests in their finest attire added to the symphony of joy that filled the room. I was seated at dinner when I noticed some of "the baseball guys" getting seated. Having attended a few baseball games with Maddie to watch her now-husband play in college, I knew of Mark but had never interacted with him. The closest we came to interacting was during a large game of dodgeball at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) gathering. After graduating, the next time I heard "Petey" was when Mark asked out one of my best friends. Ultimately, they never went out since he was moving to North Carolina to work in MiLB with the Rangers. As the evening unfolded, my confidence in making friends out of acquaintances soared while catching up with old friends. When Mark appeared at my table, I was eager to have a conversation due to his fine taste in my friends. This anticipation was only to be disappointed when the bride announced his relocation. I teased him about moving to the "cool table" which led to a charming and awkward introduction, marked by a suave, left-handed backward handshake and a smile that made me blush. I laughed because couldn't help but feel light with such a genuine moment. A month later, a seemingly ordinary Instagram scroll turned into unexpected connection. I watched a very cute video of Maddie and Joe Vondrachek's wedding with the song "Red is the Rose" overlaying. I didn't notice that the video was a month old. I liked the video without much thought and moved on. Note: this is probably due to the fact that I did not get on Instagram often, and Instagram's algorithm suggested the reel. A few days later, I was on a sailing trip on Canyon Lake, and posted some videos with friends when I received a DM from a "Mark Peterson" asking me, "Where's this slice of heaven?". The exchange, filled with anticipation, reached a pivotal moment, prompting me to seek advice from my friend Emily Dempsey. Do I take his hints and drop a line for him? With her enthusiastic encouragement, the decision to respond with interest led to a message proposing we go for coffee or dinner. Since I was traveling for the next two weekends, I suggested drinks during the week. Despite a late-night schedule due to his work, our meeting unfolded into a memorable night, filled with conversation over two below-average margaritas until 2 am on a Wednesday night.