Every Viterbo student who attended their first-year orientation ceremony can think back to Rick Trietley telling us we may find “the love of [our] life here at Viterbo.” This was especially the case for Lauren Ostrem and Jared Wilson, a four-year Viterbo couple who have announced their engagement.  

On the couple’s third anniversary, April 10, at their special spot atop Grandad Bluff, Jared Wilson, senior psychology major, proposed to Lauren Ostrem, senior theatre tech and design major. Later that night, Lauren proposed back. A trip to the bookstore, a cup of coffee at their favorite café, followed by a picnic overlooking the city of La Crosse is what encompassed their perfect day. The date was a direct replication of their first anniversary two years ago when Lauren gave Jared a promise ring. The announcement has sparked campus-wide joy and excitement for the couple. Finally, some good news to be shared after increasingly difficult circumstances for all students.  

After awkwardly meeting at a Kwik Trip freshman year – Jared’s fault, according to Lauren – the two were put into contact by their friend Jose. After a few dinners together with friends, Jared hatched a plan to get closer to Lauren. Jared used his mediocre grade in his digital imaging course as a method of obtaining some quality time alone with Lauren. 

Lauren reluctantly agreed, inviting this strange boy to her parents’ home to photograph art in their backyard. She had no idea her parents would be home and immediately regretted her decision as they were lectured by her parents, who assumed they were a couple. Lauren then made it a point to ‘friendzone’ Jared on the car ride home. 

This did not stop Jared. He knew Lauren was special, so he schemed with his friends on how he could get another shot. The new plan: a homecooked dinner, as a group, at Jared’s house. There, Lauren met Jared’s dogs and was introduced to Jared’s culinary talents. Then, as fate willed it, a snowstorm hit and sealed off the roads. 

The friends were forced to set-up for the night. Once everyone was in their respected sleeping spaces, the two were alone. Snowed in, the two exchanged their first kiss. Lauren admitted it was this moment she began to fall for Jared. 

Since this night, the two have enjoyed three full years of love. According to Lauren, they work so well because, “We’re both introverted, but our relationship is easy because we are able to communicate our wants and our needs constantly and effectively.” 

As stated previously, the idea of marriage was not originally in the cards for Lauren and Jared. “I [was] not going to date, definitely not get married, I [was] just going to focus on my career and die alone,” Lauren shared. In a similar vein, Jared replied, “Coming into college I had not come to expect I would be in any long-term relationships… I am glad I was proven wrong.” 

Their first and only relationship at Viterbo has resulted in the couple leaving its doors with heavy hearts. Though he was originally looking to get his degree and get out, Jared admitted, “Looking back, I recognize how silly this was, because so many fond memories and good times had at this university, I share with Lauren.”  

“Anytime I was working late on a project for one of our staged productions,” Lauren said, “Jared would come in and hang out with me… I always appreciate quality time and he was like my little helper.”  

“Everything is close-knit at Viterbo,” stated Jared, adding, “If I had a rough day of classes I would just text Lauren ‘SOS’ and we would grab food to–go from the Caf to enjoy outside or huddled in front of the TV together. I always knew I could rely on her.” 

After graduation, the couple is moving to Illinois to begin their new life together. For Jared, it’s a full-ride for a doctorate program at Northern Illinois University for industrial/organizational psychology with a stipend. Lauren plans to put her degree to use in Chicago’s booming theatre market. “Leaving [Viterbo],” Lauren said, “is bitter-sweet. Sweet, because I get to take him with me, but bitter because we have to leave our home at Viterbo and move it elsewhere.” 

As for the wedding, the couple is going to hold off until after grad school. The Lumen wishes them the best on their journey.