In a tale straight out of a reality TV show, Laura Gehrke, a real-estate agent and star of Netflix’s Too Hot To Handle Germany, has found love in the most unexpected place—a prison. Laura recently tied the knot with Joshua Stewart, an inmate she met on WriteAPrisoner.com, after a whirlwind six-week romance. Despite facing online backlash and skepticism, Laura remains unfazed, standing by her love for Joshua. Let’s dive into the details of this unconventional love story.
A Lonely Christmas Turns Into a Love Story
Laura’s journey to love began in December last year. Stranded in Dubai due to a visa issue, she couldn’t travel home for Christmas and found herself feeling lonely. While scrolling through TikTok, she stumbled upon a video about WriteAPrisoner.com, a platform where people can write to inmates. Out of curiosity, she decided to send a message to wish an inmate a Merry Christmas.
Meeting Joshua Stewart
One profile stood out to Laura—21-year-old Joshua Stewart. Intrigued by his interest in poetry, Laura began exchanging messages with him. What started as simple messages quickly turned into long phone calls, sometimes lasting up to 11 hours a day. Laura was captivated by Joshua’s emotional intelligence and his openness about his life.
Joshua’s Proposal
Within six weeks, Joshua proposed to Laura over one of their marathon phone calls. Despite his conviction for controlled substance homicide, Laura chose not to judge him solely based on his crime. She felt connected to Joshua’s backstory and the person he had become.
The Prison Wedding
In June, Laura flew to Washington for a 90-minute prison ceremony to marry Joshua. The unconventional wedding had a unique charm, with one of Joshua’s fellow inmates serving as his best man. The couple, dressed in white with their own color theme, shared a special moment that felt “super right” to Laura. Despite not spending their wedding night together, they look forward to conjugal visits later this year.
Laura and Joshua’s relationship has been met with both support and criticism. Trolls online have accused Joshua of using Laura for financial gain and questioned the authenticity of their love. Comments like “Bro just secured his financial future after he’s out” and “He will disappear after release” have flooded social media. However, Laura remains steadfast, believing in their love and dismissing the negativity.
Laura’s Perspective
Laura shared her thoughts on the backlash, stating, “People just look into things with a made-up mind—they can’t believe we married out of love. They just think I’m using him or he’s using me. They can’t believe it’s real love.” Despite the skepticism, Laura’s family has been supportive, although her mother had questions initially.
The Future Ahead
The couple plans to live together in the US once Joshua is released under house arrest in December 2025. Laura hopes that their love story will continue to defy the odds and prove the doubters wrong.
Conclusion
Laura Gehrke’s unexpected love story with Joshua Stewart has captivated many, blending elements of romance, controversy, and resilience. Despite the challenges and public scrutiny, Laura and Joshua are determined to build a life together. As they navigate their unconventional relationship, one thing is clear—love can indeed be found in the most unexpected places.
FAQs
How did Laura Gehrke meet Joshua Stewart?
Laura Gehrke met Joshua Stewart on WriteAPrisoner.com after feeling lonely during the Christmas season in Dubai and deciding to send a message to an inmate.
How long did it take for Joshua to propose to Laura?
Joshua Stewart proposed to Laura after six weeks of exchanging messages and phone calls.
What was the wedding like?
The couple had a 90-minute prison wedding in Washington, with one of Joshua’s fellow inmates serving as his best man. They dressed in white and had a unique color theme for the ceremony.
What kind of backlash have they faced?
Laura and Joshua have faced online criticism, with trolls accusing Joshua of using Laura for financial gain and questioning the authenticity of their relationship.
What are their future plans?
The couple plans to live together in the US once Joshua is released under house arrest in December 2025.
How has Laura responded to the criticism?
Laura has dismissed the negativity, stating that people can’t believe their marriage is based on real love and often have preconceived notions about their relationship.
