Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino has endured his share of struggles in life, but supporting him through it all has been wife Lauren, with whom the Jersey Shore star shared a throwback photo as part of Instagram's "how it started vs. how it's going" trend. These college sweethearts met approximately 17 years ago and dated for a while before splitting during Mike's rise to fame on the original Jersey Shore series. However, they found their way back to each other in 2013. Now, Mike is taking a look back at how much his relationship with Lauren has blossomed over time.
Early episodes of Jersey Shore saw Mike get into some unforgettable situations. Who could forget when he rammed his head into a wall in Italy? For Mike, those were some of his darkest days as he battled an intense drug addiction. But six years ago, with Lauren by his side, Mike received the help he needed and got clean. The two tied the knot in November 2018 with a stunning Italian wedding, yet they endured more hardship when Mike went to prison shortly after for eight months for tax evasion. Still, the couple stayed strong. Their strength was tested once again in May 2021 when their newborn son Romeo Reign was forced to stay at the hospital due to a fever. After a heartbreaking two weeks, Mike and Lauren happily brought their little boy home.
On Instagram, Mike participated in the social media trend "how it started vs. how it's going," which features a photo from a user's past followed by a current one to show how much life has evolved. Mike shared a sweet photo of himself and Lauren at what appears to be a college country western party. Mike is rocking a plaid shirt and cowboy hat, and Lauren is all-smiles in cowgirl boots and denim shorts. This is followed by two present-day selfies of Mike and Lauren bundled up on a snowy winter day and holding baby Romeo, who matches his dad in a puffy black coat.
It's unlikely that the young, costume-sporting duo in the first photo had any idea what the future would hold for them. Their relationship wasn't all smooth sailing, but according to Mike's iconic inspirational quote, "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor." Based on a comment by Mike on the post, which said, "I didn't get what I prayed for until I became the person who should receive it," it seems he felt everything happened just as it was supposed to. From their temporary split while he filmed Jersey Shore, to his addiction battle and brief stint in prison, each hardship made Mike into the man he is today - a good friend, husband and father who cares deeply for his loved ones.
For the most part, the entire cast of Jersey Shore has matured. Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Deena Nicole Cortese and Jenni "JWoww" Farley are the mothers of several children, the chronically-single Paul "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio is settling down with girlfriend Nikki Hall, and Vinny Guadagnino is distancing himself from his protective mother Paola by selling his Staten Island home and moving to Los Angeles full-time. Fans will never forget the many drunken nights at Seaside Heights, but it's nice to see the roomies embark on these next chapters in life.
Source: Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino/Instagram