Once upon a time, in the Greatest City in America…

They wandered aimlessly around the city looking for love, until one day, they met digitally by swiping right on Bumble in the late fall of 2016.

They messaged each other for a few days before Kenny decided to ask Lauren out on a date; she seemed cool enough and not crazy. Lauren responded that she was going out of town for three weeks and couldn’t meet up until she got back. Kenny had heard similar excuses before and figured he would never hear from her again. Never one to give up, he set a reminder in his phone and figured he’d message Lauren after she got back. After three weeks, and a day before Kenny’s reminder went off, Lauren beat him to it and texted Kenny on her way back to Baltimore; she feared that by this point, he was probably married already. Kenny was excited to hear from her and they set up their first date!

Lauren and Kenny met for the first time on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at the corner of East Randall and Light Street in South Baltimore. The itinerary for the evening was cocktails at Bookmakers on East Cross Street, and cocktails only. At this point in Kenny’s dating career, he had grown tired and jaded of endless dating app first dates with expensive dinners and drinks, only to never see the girl again. So, he figured he’d just meet Lauren for a drink and head home early. To his surprise, the two hit it off immediately with great conversation and lots of laughs. The first thing Kenny noticed about Lauren, besides the fact that she is beautiful, was how much she talked. The first thing Lauren noticed about Kenny, besides his dashing appearance, was how sweet and shy he was.

Before they knew it though, their stomachs were growling. Kenny decided to extend this date, but instead of buying an “extravagant” dinner at Bookmakers, he suggested they have dinner at the more “casual” Rowhouse Grille. Lauren ordered mac-n-cheese and Kenny ordered tacos. However hungry they may have been, they only picked at their food while they conversed into the evening drinking the finest beer and wine and having a great time in each other’s company. Kenny would end up walking Lauren to her door that evening and giving her a kiss goodnight, all the while wondering if Lauren would ghost him or meet him again for a second date. 

To Kenny’s elation, there would be a second date, a third date, a fourth date, and so on. These early dates were spent exploring Baltimore and sharing in their mutual passions: going out to dinner, taking in art museums, rocking out at concerts, watching The Office, and riding bikes.

As they fell in love and time passed, they spent time meeting each other’s families and friends, and taking their adventures farther by traveling to new cities - another passion they share.

Eventually, they grew tired of the parking situation in South Baltimore and lugging stuff back and forth between their houses. More importantly, they were ready. So, in the summer of 2018, they moved in together and built a home that they both adore - filled with art, wine, craft beers, vinyl records, air conditioning that is always cranking, and most importantly, love. It’s their favorite place.

It was also the perfect place when Kenny decided it was time to propose to Lauren. A little after midnight on January 1, 2020, Kenny got down on one knee in the living room and asked Lauren to marry him. At least, he thinks he asked her. He kind of blacked out. Either way, she said yes and they couldn’t be more excited for their happily everafter!