Jacob & Lauren

Love has a way of writing the most beautiful stories- and today, I am thrilled to share a brand-new chapter in the lives of two incredible people. Lauren and Jake are engaged! Or as they like to call each other Homer and Marge are engaged! What started off as a simple connection has grown into a bond full of laughter, support, adventure, and deep affection!

I invite you to celebrate the love that brought them together and the future they are building together!

How did you meet!? Tell your story.

Lauren: To my surprise, TINDER! I went on the app to delete it, but decided to swipe through one last time. that is when I cam across Jacobs profile, with a bio that said, “Lets adopt a Dalmatian together. Need a date to my sisters wedding.” His bio was sending MIXED signals, but his pictures made him seem like a sweet, genuine guy. After about 5 minutes of debating back and forth whether I would swipe right on him I said, “What the heck” and all of a sudden he SUPER LIKED me and we were a match! Within two minutes he sent me a message “Hey Gorgeous!” which was probably my least favorite first message, but I had a different feeling about him so I kept the conversation going. He spent two weeks of covid quarantine messaging me and trying to win me over.

Jacob: We met over Tinder. When I first saw her profile picture I was enchanted by her smile! I used a Super Like as a HAIL MARY attempt to get her attention. After we matched, what started as “Hey Gorgeous” turned into 2 weeks of trying to woo her over for a date.

What was your first date and how did it go?

Lauren: “I was very hesitant and nervous to go on a date with Jacob. It wasn’t because of Jacob- I was nervous to go out with anyone! Not only was I new to Central New York, but i had gone through a traumatic experience just over a year earlier that left me struggling to let any male in my life. While my friend was in town visiting she insisted we do a double date. We settled on Carrabba’s, as it was one of the only restaurant in town allowing dining (Remember, this was COVID). We also bonded over out love for chicken parmesan, so that helped as well! I was so nervous I wanted to jump out of the car. My friends calmed me down, and into the restaurant we went! We sat in the restaurant waiting for Jacob and as soon as he walked in it was very surreal, I felt something instantly. He was so nervous that his glass of sprite was shaking! He told many funny stories and slowly I grew more comfortable with him. When we finished at the restaurant I told him we were planning on going to Target after. He told me he’d love to join and that he could drive me over, if that was okay. I surprised myself and my friends when I agreed to ride in the car with him. We walked around Target nervous as all heck, and then we waited in the car for my friends to finish shopping. We had our first kiss in that Target parking lot. SO ROMANTIC LOL. He drove me home after and I told him I wanted to surprise my friends by kissing him goodbye because I was so comfortable being around him.

Jacob: Originally I wanted to take her out to Tully’s, but eventually we ended up settling on Carrabbas. Then that ended with a Target run and the rest between us is history.

When did you realize you had found “THE ONE”?

Lauren: Honestly, I’d say the moment I didn’t hesitate to say yes to getting a ride from him. I was instantly comfortable with him. We just clicked so well and it was like we’ve known each other our whole lives. I remember being worried after he officially asked me to be his girlfriend because I knew if we didn’t end together forever, life would suck.

Jacob: The moment I made her laugh on our first date, something in my heart just knew—she was the one I’d been waiting for all along.

What do you love most about each other?

Lauren: His personality and sense of humor. His selflessness and the way he puts so much love and care into everything he does for me.

Jacob: I love her sense of humor and compassion she puts into everything she does for people.

Tell Us about the proposal! How did it happen? Was it a surprise? What were you feeling!?

Lauren: Jacob proposed to me on Christmas Eve 2023 at The Wild Animal Park Winter Wonderland of Lights. I so knew it was coming in the month of December but I didn’t know when. Jacob was so excited and had a hard time keeping it a secret because we tell each other EVERYTHING! He kept telling me “I am going to ask you to marry me this month”. The anticipation was KILLING ME! But I did never imagine he would propose to me there. He always said he’d never propose publicly! Christmas is my favorite Holiday, I was so nervous but so excited! The moment he said, “Can I take your hand for a second”, I started to cry. It was so special because my ring was handpicked by Jacob himself, we NEVER went ring shopping! He wanted to pick the ring all on his own, and I was blown away by the way the ring sparkled under all the lights!

Jacob: Her favorite holiday is Christmas, so I wanted to do something special for her around that time. When the Wild Animal Park announced they would be doing Christmas Lights I just knew that was the perfect time and place to propose. I was extremely anxious, and scared as hell. I was even so nervous I tried putting the ring on the wrong hand!

Lauren and Jacob have such a beautiful story! I loved hearing all about it during their engagement session! They described their relationship as Chaotic and very authentic which shows within the first moments of talking with them! They are true genuine people who really care so much for everyone around them! When asked to describe each other in three words they even used the same words! Funny, Supportive, Caring, Compassionate, and Generous.

If your relationship had a theme song what would it be and why!?

Lauren: Grow old with you by Adam Sandler-Jacob was involved in a workplace accident in October 2024. Jacob needed assistance with getting in and out of bed, off the couch, out of the recliner, off the toilet, and he needed assistance sponge bathing for a few weeks post accident. When I hear this song, it reminds me of all the things I would sacrifice to still have Jacob by my side. I never batted an eye. We joked along the way that we thought we’d hit the sponge bath stage when we were in our 70’s or 80’s. I think he can handle carrying me when my arthritis is bad.

To Family & Friends from the couple:

Lauren: I feel incredibly grateful to be surrounded by so much love and support. Thank You for loving Jacob as much as I do, and for being just as excited as I am to marry him. Thank You to Jacob’s family who have truly made me feel at home since day one. Thank you for sharing Jacob with me.

Jacob: Thank You all for the love and support you all have shown us over the years. You all made Lauren feel part of this family since the beginning.

To Jacob From Lauren:

Jacob, Thank you for loving me and being patient with me every single day. You’ve helped me become the best version of myself, and you’ve believed in me even when i didnt believe in myself. I am so excited for out forever, and im so excited to see how much love you pour into our future family.

To Lauren From Jacob:

Lauren, Thank You for bringing me out of my shell and making me the person I am today. I don’t think you get enough credit for that.

Thank you, Lauren and Jacob, for sharing your beautiful love story with us. Watching your journey unfold has been nothing short of magical, and it's clear to everyone that your bond is built on laughter, loyalty, and a whole lot of love.

You’re not just partners—you’re best friender’s through and through. And no matter what adventures lie ahead, never forget: you love each other the mostest. Always.