Lauren & Dennis Puckey

February 2025 Issue

by Edwina Hoyle
Photography by
Cassidy Dunn Photography

Fate? Destiny? Karma? Are you someone who believes there’s no such thing as coincidences? Whether you believe or not, some kind of magic (perhaps patience) played a role in the love story of Lauren and Dennis Puckey, for it mirrors the love stories of both their parents.

Dennis’ parents, Bob and Dolores Puckey, were sweethearts in high school. When Bob moved to Michigan after graduation, Dolores followed, and they eloped. They were married on March 15, 1956.

Lauren’s parents, Karen and Carl Spies, met at Kent State University, where Carl was her professor for Graduate Statistics and Research. They also married on March 15, but the year was 1969.

Dennis and Lauren are both long-time Hilton Head Island residents. Lauren is a teacher at Heritage Academy where she teaches middle school English and AP History. Dennis has lived in Hilton Head for 38 years and has been a realtor with Charter One since 1990. They both were previously married and divorced: Lauren in 2011 and Dennis in 2014.

“Lauren is very social. We both are,” Dennis said. They each have large overlapping social networks and have known each other for more than 25 years. Because they have so many mutual friends, they would see each other frequently and became good friends.

Ten years ago, at Lauren’s 40th birthday party, Dennis came as a guest of a mutual friend. “It was love at first sight,” Dennis said. “I told my friend I wanted to ask her out, but he told me she had a boyfriend.” Eight years later, when Dennis learned Lauren was single, he immediately texted her. “This may be a weird question, but would you like to go out for dinner sometime?”

She didn’t respond. Then he texted, “I’ve had a crush on you for eight years.” No response. What he didn’t know was she was driving and couldn’t use her phone. When Lauren finally responded with, “I would love to,” he texted, “Seriously?”

“I laughed at that, and later I bought him a t-shirt that says, ‘Seriously?’” Lauren said.

They had their first date at Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte restaurant three days later and have been together ever since. “She wore a yellow dress,” Dennis fondly recalled. “With so many mutual friends, we didn’t want to tell anyone in case it didn’t work out,” Lauren said.

Dennis said he loves her bubbly personality and that she is very social. Needless to say, the secret was not a secret for very long. “Once we announced we were dating, there was a lot of joy!” Lauren said.

A year later, Dennis and Lauren returned to Charlie’s restaurant where Dennis had made secretive special arrangements. Lauren thought they were celebrating their one-year anniversary as a couple until the bartender brought her a martini glass filled with water and a ring! Dennis knew Lauren’s father did this when he proposed and wanted to continue the tradition. Dennis had invited about 30 people to a different venue that evening. He told them it was to celebrate their one-year anniversary in case Lauren said no. Luckily, she said yes, and they announced their engagement at the party.

They already knew the date they would marry. Two years earlier, Dennis’ nephew, Jameson, celebrated his second birthday, which was posted on Facebook. It was March 15. This sparked a conversation in which Lauren and Dennis discovered that both of their parents had gotten married on March 15.

“I love his thoughtfulness and kindness,” Lauren said. “He anticipates my every need. Dennis also makes me laugh because he has no filter. Plus he’s cute.”

She said they’ve only been apart twice. Dennis had made two commitments prior to their engagement, a family reunion and a trip to Saratoga for a concert. “He sent small gifts every single day he was away. He sent me craft stamps and other things a teacher might need. He even sent a beach chair because someone broke mine,” Lauren said.

Dennis chuckled, “Amazon made it easy.”

On March 15, 2024, they tied the knot in their backyard in Spanish Wells joined by nearly 200 friends and family members. Lauren said, “It was special because it was at our home. Dennis organized and set it all up. On my wedding day, I was actually walking around Target because he wanted to handle everything. He even had all the vows written out. I picked up my wedding dress from the dry cleaner and everything was done. And I wore my mother’s wedding dress. Because I’m an only child and both of my parents are deceased, my best friend from college walked me down the aisle.”

It may have been fate or coincidence that brought them together, but it is love and family that fuels the magic of this great couple.

 

Fun Facts:
• Lauren’s daughter, Mary Elizabeth, served as maid of honor. Dennis’ son, Jackson, served as the officiant, and his son, Davis, was his best man.

• Lauren did not throw her bouquet, she lovingly handed it to Dennis’ 86-year-old mother, Delores, whose own wedding was the next month. It’s never too late for love!

• Lauren said, “It’s awesome that the whole family gets along.” Dennis added, “The boys counsel Mary Elizabeth about boys, and they look out for her.”

• Three other family members are Reilley, a Coton de Tulear; Billie, a brown longhair Dachshund; and Poppy, a Goldendoodle.