Lauren and Joe met on April 8, 2022, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Joe had just arrived in the U.S. and was working on a yacht docked near Lauren’s apartment. That evening, Lauren was out with her friend Jess when she noticed a group of men across the bar, enthusiastically fist-pumping to the music. “Yachties,” she suspected. Meanwhile, Joe—soaking in his first taste of American nightlife—was happily lost in the music, unaware that across the room, the woman who would one day become his wife had already taken notice.

As the night wound down, one of Joe’s friends struck up a conversation with Jess and invited the girls to another bar. Lauren was exhausted, but something—perhaps fate—nudged her to stay out just a little longer.

At the next spot, Lauren and Joe were introduced. She immediately thought he was cute—his accent didn’t hurt—and suddenly, she was glad she had decided to stay out. As they chatted, a woman passed by selling flowers, and Joe saw his moment. He bought Lauren a fake rose (which she still has), and before the night ended, they made plans for their first date.

A few days later, their first date began with drinks and ended at an arcade. Joe claims he won at skee-ball—though Lauren might say otherwise. What they both agree on is how much fun they had and how easily they made each other laugh. For months, they continued to see each other, but as summer faded, so did the time they had left before Joe’s yacht set sail for the Mediterranean. Saying goodbye was hard, but neither of them doubted that this was only the beginning.

Over the next few years, they spent time in the U.S., Peru, Mexico, Colombia, England, Ireland, and Italy. They got to spend nearly every day together despite being from different countries.

Then, on September 19, 2024, while traveling in Florence, Joe took Lauren for a walk through the Boboli Gardens. They stopped to take a photo in front of the fountain and with a deep breath, Joe turned to Lauren, got down on one knee, asked her to marry him.

She said yes.