Now that Lauren and Ariana can meet in person, they’ve tried new things together, like a trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden, and combined their mutual love for cats and games into one of their most memorable outings at a cat arcade. But they still do lots of in-person baking together too. Most recently they baked a chocolate pumpkin cheesecake and you can try the recipe out for yourself below!

Looking back on their time together, Lauren tells us that one of the coolest things is seeing how much she and Ariana have both grown. When Lauren first signed up during the pandemic she did so as a way to give back and help her community. But she was surprised by how much of an impact it has had on her own life as well. Lauren says that Ariana really feels like a sister to her, and that “she is a light in my life.” When they first met, Ariana was reserved and soft-spoken, but today she has a “spark in her and has become such a confident young woman.” Now at 17, Ariana is applying for college and thinking about her future – a future that Lauren has no doubt she’ll continue to be active in. After all, she’s now a part of the family.