love stories
A PERRYWINKLE ’ S LOVE STORY
LAUREN AND MATT
Lauren and I met at a mutual friend ’ s birthday party . Lauren wasn ’ t planning on going , but her friends convinced her to . I walked into the room and saw a pretty blonde sitting on a couch by herself . I wasn ’ t going to miss the opportunity to introduce myself , so I sat down next to her . We started to chat over a drink , and we both felt an instant attraction . Later , our group of friends walked to a local bar . There was some music playing and I showed her my patient dance move —“ The Bow & Arrow ” that I learned in Ballroom Dancing class at Towson University — and she ate it up .
We didn ’ t want the night to end so we went back to the friend ’ s house for an after-party . Lauren and I teamed up and played a little game called Beer Pong and dominated our friends . It was getting late , so we said our goodbyes and sealed it with our first kiss . The next morning , we were both feeling the effects from the night before , so I texted her to ask if she wanted to get a bagel sandwich with me from a popular spot called Ovenbird Bakery . I picked her up and we went on our first unofficial date . Later , I found out that I got brownie points because I had an ice-cold bottle of water waiting for her in the car when I picked her up .
WHEN I KNEW I WANTED TO PROPOSE
After a year of dating , we moved in together . Everything felt easygoing and natural with Lauren . We complement each other very well in regard to our similarities and differences and our likes and dislikes . We went on two amazing trips together to Puerto Rico and Italy . We had the most incredible time traveling together , seeing different parts of the world , eating incredible food , and taking in the different cultures . I knew then that I could see myself doing this with her for the rest of my life .
What really confirmed it the whole time was the relationship with her family . Her parents raised two amazing children . I feel her parents are very similar to my parents , hard workers who put the highest value on family and friends , and their love for their children . Not only did her parents take me in with open arms but her extended family did too , and I feel incredibly grateful for that . What solidified my wanting to marry Lauren was how great she is with my family too . I knew she was the one for me .
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