We met at Best Buy in Appleton. At the time, Justin was the Sprint rep, and Lauren had just started as the mobile supervisor. We spent almost 40 hours a week working together in the mobile department for about a year, but despite what you're probably thinking, there was absolutely no secret workplace romance happening. No flirting. Very professional. Extremely normal coworkers.

Funny enough, we both ended up putting in our notices around the exact same time and left Best Buy within a week of each other. Then, the start of COVID hit. A few months into the pandemic, Lauren sent Justin a text asking if he wanted to go on a date. (Actual text screenshot included) A few days later, for our very first date, we watched Fourth of July fireworks from the back of Justin’s truck on Harwood Road. It was after this date that the whole “just coworkers” thing officially ended.

Justin and Lauren spent a few years going on many dates filled with a lot of laughs. At this time, Justin was farming and working absurd hours, so we had to get creative with how we spent time together. It didn't matter whether we were having a date night or sitting in the tractor for hours, we continued to fall deeper in love. Over time, Justin started spending more and more nights at Lauren's apartment and eventually moved in. Both of us say that living together only confirmed how compatible we are. Our love of routines, having new experiences together and true partnership showed us what our future could be like.

We got engaged while visiting Shannon and Austin in Colorado during a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. After spending the day exploring Estes Park together, Justin proposed at the top of one of the overlooks surrounded by the most beautiful views imaginable. Even though Lauren could very obviously see the ring box in Justin’s pocket the entire day, the moment still felt completely overwhelming in the best possible way. It became one of the most special moments of our lives. We were also incredibly lucky to have Shannon and Austin there with us to celebrate and to secretly help capture the moment so we can relive it forever. (And Miles was present too, even though we didn’t know it yet 😉)

After years of apartment living together, we spent a long time searching for a home of our own. Between the housing market and multiple failed offers, it definitely took some patience before we finally found the right place. In July 2024, we officially bought our first home together in Little Chute. Since then, we’ve loved slowly turning it into home together through little projects, gardening and learning together as we go. Some of our favorite memories here have been the simplest moments. Working outside together, planting in our garden(s), watching and taking care of all our critters, spending time with Loki in the backyard and building a life together.