William & Lauren have known each other for over twenty years. William was a close friend of the bride’s sister, Cameron, in middle school and spent many days skateboarding outside the Strouss house. They traveled the country together and spent summers and fall Friday nights near each other for years- Lauren as a Star-Spangled Girl and William as a tuba player- but their paths never really crossed. Lauren didn’t think of William as anything more than her sister’s friend. However, William does swear he had a moment in high school when he thought to himself, “hmm… wouldn’t that be interesting.” Fast forward to 2016, Lauren moved back home to Birmingham and began working at New York Pizza, where she reconnected with William over Game of Thrones watch parties on Sunday nights, unseen cult classic movies, good music, dark humor, and a slew of other random adventures. It didn’t take long for the two to start spending more and more time together and truly enjoying each other’s company. In the spring of 2019, they began falling in love with each other- although, admittedly, they both tried not to. After weathering quite a few major challenges in their first two years together, they have emerged stronger, happier, and healthier in their third and fourth year. They both feel lucky to have found each other, and they are elated to spend the rest of their lives having fun together.

Lauren heard of a going out of business sale on engagement rings, and- not being one to pass up a bargain- she insisted that William accompany her to look at them. Of course she found one she really liked at a price she really loved and decided they should go ahead and buy it for “one day.” It would be foolish to miss out on a deal like this one, and they already knew they were meant for each other, so might as well! Eager to have The Precious on her finger, she wondered when William might pop the question. Before their amazing Alaskan cruise, which would be an obvious choice, William picked a tiny fight with Lauren so she wouldn’t expect a proposal. She was sad, but he made a valid point- he’ll do it when he’s ready! Turns out, he was ready all along and the “fight” was his greatest red herring ever. He managed to keep the ring hidden from her (and from the Canadian TSA agent at the airport!) as they packed, double-checked their bags, and traveled across the country- even keeping it hidden their first night in Vancouver! The next night- their first on Radiance of the Seas- William hid the ring in his sock and insisted that they go to the very front of the ship to watch their first sunset onboard. He thought he’d been caught when the ring box popped shut in his pocket while riding the elevator, but Lauren was undoubtedly too distracted by her own pure joy at being on her first cruise ship ever to even notice. It was there, at the front of this massive ship, in the middle of open ocean, at a vast and gorgeous sunset, with an already elated Lauren, that he nervously and excitedly got on one knee and turned that ecstatic girlfriend into his fiancée. Lauren couldn’t believe it! Even being the terrible liar that he is, he had fooled her! William had even discussed his plans with her sister Erin and met with her father in person before they left- all without Lauren knowing! She cried happy tears as she said yes, obviously! They spent the rest of their vacation (and both their birthdays) basking in the newness of their engagement and using it to get free stuff and free drinks from everyone on the ship.