First date stories are usually full of uncomfortable moments and awkward pauses, but not for Lauren and Jeffrey. After only a week of knowing each other, their first date was already full of inside jokes and laughed-filled conversation.

Knowing her love for Italian food, Jeffrey booked the chef’s table at an Italian restaurant. To know Jeffrey is to know he is all things cooking. And at any other time, Jeffrey would have been focused on the kitchen from their front row seats. But not this night—Jeffrey couldn’t keep his eyes off Lauren. Before their first date was over, they had already made plans to see each other just a few days later. They both knew this was the start of something special.

Their first date went so well they began making plans to see one of Lauren’s favorite musicians, Chris Stapleton. The concert was 9 months away. In the months following, Jeffrey and Lauren spent their time seeing live music in Austin, cooking together, going to trivia, traveling, and exploring new breweries in Austin and San Antonio.

When Jeffrey was ready to pop the question, he took Lauren to Eberly in Austin. Knowing she would want her nails to look good with a shiny new ring, Jeffrey’s daughters Vanessa and Eva invited Lauren to get manicures. Not to spoil the surprise though, they convinced her it was a tradition to get their nails done before school started.

Vanessa did an amazing job setting up candles and flowers while Lauren and Jeffrey were at dinner. Lauren was stunned by the scene when they got home, and when she turned around, Jeffrey was kneeling and asking her to marry him. Speechless for just a moment, she tearfully said, “yes!”

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