Our Story

Lauren and Chris met through mutual friends—probably on Third Street—around 2011. Lauren had just moved back to Louisiana, working multiple jobs and planning her escape. Chris, enjoying a much more relaxed pace, would see her briefly before she disappeared from social settings like her Civic would turn into a pumpkin. She never escaped. Instead, she managed a band, started a relationship, and occasionally crossed paths with Chris, who was also in a relationship and respectfully noticed her at gigs.

Fast-forward to 2021. The pandemic struck, relationships ended, and both found themselves on Hinge. Lauren (using the app wrong) swiped right because she knew Chris. Chris (using it correctly) swiped right to get to know her. They chatted for a day or two, but when work schedules didn’t align, Lauren assumed disinterest and deleted the app. Meanwhile, Chris checked for her messages the next morning, refreshed the empty chat in disbelief, and assumed he’d been “ghosted”.

Months later, fate (and friends) intervened. Lauren was convinced out for pizza with Freddi and Vin. She walked briskly down Third Street, hoping to avoid seeing anyone significant. So, of course, she ran into Chris. They struck up a conversation, and with zero preamble, Lauren pointed at him and declared, “I owe you a date.”

Chris, amused: “A date?”

Lauren, certain: “A date.

Before the night was over, they reconnected outside the Watermark Hotel, discussing life and debating religion until 3 AM. When Chris declined a ride home, choosing to walk down the middle of the street instead, Freddi teased that Lauren had him “needing to be alone with his thoughts.”

Sporadic texts followed, and once again, Lauren wasn’t sure where things stood. Lauren’s friend, Ty’Rasha—a wise hairstylist-turned-therapist—convinced her to give it one more shot. So, Lauren texted once more. Chris, reassuring her that this was not a first date (because first dates would be planned), invited her to Happy’s Piano Bar to see American Idol finalist Jovin Webb. He even sent her a video preview, just in case she wasn’t familiar.

That night, Chris snuck away from the “not date” to find a birthday candle for Lauren’s shot glass. Lauren, not realizing Chris knew she’d recently celebrated her birthday, appreciated the gesture. And, wasting no celebratory time, she kidnapped him and his best friend, Cook, to another bar to toast their friend Jasman’s birthday at midnight. Champagne was had, a first photo was taken, and the future felt a little more sure.

Three months later, after consistent encouragement (and mild threats) from friends, their relationship finally became official—sealed by a New Yorker named Jeff, who casually called Chris Lauren’s boyfriend and “one of the best men he’d met”.

Lauren agreed.

Chris… didn’t realize that was the conversation.

And they’ve been together ever since—in happy confusion turned clear love.