Lauren and Nick first met while working at Lakes Community High School. Their paths didn't cross often in the beginning since they worked in two different departments. Then, Nick transferred to another school in 2018. Lauren's and Nick's schools both qualified for playoff football that year. Since they were in the same district, the administration put together a small party in the end zone for staff members on November 3, 2018. Lauren and Nick spent most of the game sitting side-by-side talking. Near the end, Nick asked Lauren if she would like to meet up later. Lauren was under the impression that she was attending a gathering with coworkers and invited other people to join. Meanwhile, Nick was under the impression that he had asked Lauren out on a date. Fortunately, none of the people that Lauren invited were able to make it. On that date, both Nick and Lauren quickly realized that they had a strong connection and decided to pursue a relationship together.

As spring weather was starting to emerge, Nick nonchalantly asked Lauren one weekend if they would like to go out to dinner sometime that week. Lauren chose a Wednesday, as it would break up the week nicely, not knowing that she was inadvertently choosing their engagement date. On May 11, 2022, Nick asked Lauren to join him in walking their dog, Lani, around the neighborhood before their dinner plans, which they had done countless times before. When walking through the gazebo on their path, Nick surprised Lauren by dropping to one knee and asking her to spend forever with him. Despite the initial shock, the decision to say yes was an absolute no-brainer.