It all started on Bumble — where the lady makes the first move. Lauren broke the ice by sending a GIF from The Office featuring Jim and Pam’s iconic air high-five — her version of a “Yay, we matched!” message. From there, things took off... sort of.

For the next two weeks, their only form of communication was exchanging Office GIFs (see examples below). No words. Just GIFs. Eventually, Geoff decided it was time to take things to the next level and asked for Lauren’s number.

Around Thanksgiving of 2020, they finally started texting and really getting to know each other. They talked about family, friends, hobbies, jobs, food allergies/intolerances (Lauren’s gluten and Geoff’s peanuts), and of course, their college football teams. Despite being from rival universities their conversations kept going strong, even through OSU’s tough Bedlam loss that year.

Not long after, Geoff shared that he’d be in New Jersey until after the New Year. Lauren was a little bummed — she was really enjoying getting to know him and assumed the distance might fizzle things out. But Geoff was different. From halfway across the country, he kept texting her and even asked if she’d like to have a FaceTime date.

One virtual date turned into many, and soon they were talking daily — texting nonstop, FaceTiming often, and even introducing each other to their moms (over FaceTime, of course). It was clear this was becoming something special.

After Christmas, Lauren’s sorority big sister (and future Matron of Honor), Taylor, came to visit. Lauren told Taylor all about this new boy she had been talking to. Taylor, being the protective Big she was, asked to FaceTime Geoff and feel him out. Geoff passed with flying colors — and with a little friendly pressure from Taylor, he officially asked Lauren to be his girlfriend on December 27, 2020.

When Geoff’s return flight to Oklahoma approached on January 2nd, he suggested Lauren be the one to pick him up from the airport. Some might call that the beginning of a Crime Junkie episode waiting to happen, but Lauren — a Crime Junkie fan herself — made sure her family, friends, and roommate had her location and knew her outfit details, just in case 😉. Geoff even Venmoed her $100 to grab her favorite sushi for their first in-person date.

When Lauren pulled up to Will Rogers World Airport, she spotted Geoff — wearing a hat (naturally), a New York Giants face mask, and holding a duffel bag. She unlocked the car door, Geoff got in, said “Finally!” and kissed her. They spent the evening eating sushi, watching college football, and laughing like they’d known each other forever.

And the rest, as they say, is history.