Robert: We came to Fairhope for a day of painting and fishing. 

Lauren: I saw this on TikTok and wanted to paint handprints with my significant other. 

Robert: I was down for it. It’s making memories, and we can hang them on the wall. We’ve been together for three years. I was working at Waffle House in Mobile when we met through a mutual friend. Our first date was to the beach and then dinner at Ralph and Kacoos. Working at Waffle House was fast-paced, and having customers watch me cook made me a little nervous. They would say: take the eggs off now, flip those hash browns, or leave them on a little longer. But I learned that customers take care of you if you take care of them. I don’t work there anymore, though. Now I do industrial installation for a contractor. 

We were both homeless during our teenage years and learned how to survive.

Lauren: That seems like a long time ago. We are blessed now.  I’m going to college for nursing and will finish in December of next year. I want to be a nurse to help others—I don’t want anyone to go through what I’ve been through

Robert: We both came from crazy places, but that isn’t our outcome. We have a beautiful daughter who is about to turn 8 months. We are giving her a different life. I am proud of us for making it this far.  I love Lauren’s personality with her positive outlook on life and seeing both sides. 

Lauren: Robert is romantic and puts his family’s needs ahead of his own. He tries to act tough, but he’s a softie.