Lucas and Emily were fed up with being single, so they both signed up on dating apps in February 2021. It wasn't until October though that Lucas found Emily and "SUPER LIKED" her, afraid he wouldn't grab her attention otherwise. Emily saw this, and that he was only 21... She deliberated for a while, thinking he was for sure too young for her, but decided he was cute and she'd give him a chance. As soon as Lucas and Emily started talking, they immediately knew the other was something special. Their first date was Friday, October 22nd, and they saw each other 3 other times before the next Friday, despite living over an hour away from each other. Lucas asked Emily at one point how long she likes to wait before making a relationship official. Never having had a boyfriend before, Emily didn't know exactly how long she wanted to wait, but she did say that she had dated someone for two months before, and they were never official. Lucas locked this information away and decided to wait at least two months before asking her to be his girlfriend. Well, just over a month after their first date, while cuddling on a cold Sedona night under the stars, Emily asked Lucas when he planned on asking her to be his girlfriend. Frustrated, Lucas lamented that he was waiting until they had been dating for two months since that's how long she had gone before without making things official. Emily bashfully and sweetly remarked that she would be his girlfriend now if he wanted, but Lucas asked if she wanted him to ask her now, or if she wanted him to make it special. Initially, Emily asked him to wait and make it special, but just a few seconds later, she changed her mind and told him to ask her now. Lucas, not wanting to wait a second longer, took the opportunity she was giving him and immediately asked if she would be his girlfriend, and their anniversary of being boyfriend and girlfriend was set, on December 1st, 2021. Not even two weeks later, they had to part, while Lucas went home to California for the holidays. A couple days before though, Lucas and Emily held a small Christmas together. Emily, being the master gift giver that she is, wrote a dozen love letters for Lucas to open at different times while they were apart. Upon seeing this, Lucas started to cry tears of immense joy, telling Emily for the first time that he loved her, on December 12th, 2021. A year later, on the same day, he proposed to her.

Lucas pulled off the surprise of the century with this proposal. Emily didn't see it coming at all. Emily's sister Abby came to visit for a week and because of that she expected the a proposal may be the reason for her visit. Her mom offered to send her money for a new outfit and to get her nails done, which made Emily think "Oh, yeah it's definitely happening soon." However, the day of Abby's departure came and went, leaving Emily thinking that she must've been wrong. What Emily didn't know, was that Abby had not left at all, and had actually taken an Uber to the mall, where she waited for hours with her suitcase. Lucas was working hard behind the scenes to arrange everything, and sent his co-worker and his wife (Johnny and Tori DeBoer, Thank you!) to go pick Abby up and take her to the site of the proposal so she could hide and film it. Thankfully, Tori is also a professional photographer, and brought her camera to capture the moment. Meanwhile, Emily was at home, missing her sister, and not feeling too well. Lucas suggested they go for a walk in the freshly fallen snow, at a Catholic Chapel that she had mentioned looked beautiful in the snow. Emily agreed some fresh air might help her feel better, and as soon as Lucas got home from work, she (very slowly) got dressed, not expecting anything but a cute walk. They arrived at the church at sunset, and it was beautiful. They sat in the car for a few minutes, Emily thinking that they were enjoying the sunset, and Lucas discreetly texting everyone and making sure everyone was in place. They began their walk and Lucas stopped them in front of a statue of Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child. And in true Emily fashion, she was going on about how Lucas reminded her of Joseph, energetically. He seemed distracted though, and began to look nervous. He asked her if she remembered what he said to her a year ago today. She said "Oh my gosh! Was this the day you told me you loved me for the first time?" He explained and said that every day since then he has loved her more. He got down on one knee in the snow, and pulled out the ring. He then pronounced a beautiful speech, and finished it with "I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you, or be loved as much as you love me. And I never want to love or be loved by anyone else, so Emily Elizabeth White, will you marry me?" Emily (crying obviously) said "Yes!" And the church bells tolled. God was definitely signaling his approval. After celebrating in each others arms, Emily looked over to see some shadowy figures in the distance. "Who is that!?" said Emily, "Who IS that?" said Lucas with a smirk. Emily (crying more, obviously) realized it was Abby who ran up to hug and celebrate the best night ever with us. Tori was able to get some amazing pictures for them even though it was dark, and then they went home to FaceTime their families and hear all about the secret plans that made this perfect night possible.