Lauren and Rob met on OkCupid in 2012 and had their first date on Friday the 13th of April. Lauren was impressed that Rob liked architecture and knew about Buffalo’s Central Terminal. Rob was impressed by Lauren’s motorcycle.
In November 2014, Lauren won tickets to see the Stephen Hawking biopic, The Theory of Everything, and Rob decided he’d propose that night. Rob rushed home after work to set up the surprise and then met Lauren for dinner. He was a few minutes late and worried Lauren would ask him why, but thankfully, she was preoccupied with law school and didn’t notice. The movie was beautiful and Lauren cried through most of it (and most of the cab ride home).
Once they arrived home, Rob suprised Lauren with a handbag she’d been wanting for months that he’d told her he was going to get her for Christmas. When Lauren unzipped the bag, inside was a Lego minifigure of Rob holding the engagement ring. Lauren started crying (again) and Rob got down on one knee. Lauren snatched the ring from him and hugged him, then handed him back the ring so that he could put it on her hand.
Our Wedding Party
We’re grateful to be surrounded by the people we love on our big day!
- Officiant – Sarah Belle (Lauren’s best friend)
- Maids of Honor – Megan McCulloch and Elizabeth Lytle (Lauren’s sisters)
- Bridesmaid – Maggie McCulloch (Lauren’s niece)
- Best Man – Ryan Bender (Rob’s brother)
- Groomsman – Karl Martino (Rob’s friend and co-worker)
- Ring Master – Ayden Bender (Our son)
- Flower Girls – Elena Bender and Olivia Murphy (Our nieces)