The Leonards

In the summer of 2014, right before his senior year, Luke was working for Senator Rodney Davis as a congressional intern. The same summer Danielle was living at home with her parents in Girard before her first year of the Physical Therapy program at SLU. One evening her dad conned her into attending a "community mapping meeting" for community growth. Danielle couldn't tell you what they talked about at the meeting but there was a dapper gentleman sitting behind her during the lecture... Yes hidden behind dark frame glasses sat THE Lukas Leonard, whom she'd briefly met 6 years earlier during summer camp. Luckily Luke recognized her and started a conversation. After a couple weeks of virtual chatting they decided to go on a proper first date, where else than the Raymond Fourth of July Celebration. Luke swooned Danielle that first night with Bingo & Fireworks.. the rest is history!

During fall Luke became insistent on a "fall vacation".. flying to Denver for the weekend, Florida, and Chicago were all options thrown out to "get away for a weekend". Danielle eventually agreed to a simple roadtrip to Southwest Missouri to enjoy the fall colors and get away from a weekend of studying. After a day of hiking and relaxing the two went to dinner at the Big Cedar Lodge's top of the rock restaurant. After, Lukas created the perfect moment in front of a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the valley , down on one knee with a stunning diamond. Danielle's response? "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" He was serious and here we are!