In the height of the pandemic uncertainty in May of 2020, Abby found herself back from college in her hometown of Hesston, Kansas for an unknown period of time. Meanwhile, Luke was one of a handful of students allowed back to McPherson College campus to continue to work diligently on a restoration project, a 1953 Mercedes 300S, that employed him through part of college. The two met online; a pandemic pastime for both of them had been swiping on an app called "FTH," short for 'faith'. One night Abby scrolled through faces for far too long, and cast her phone aside. A friend picked up the phone and continued the scroll almost mechanically- next, next, next, pause.... she began to drag the profile across the screen when Abby spoke up, "wait!" After a few sweeps through Luke's pictures featuring cars, cameras, vinyl records, and a cute smile that still makes her blush, she was smitten. She swiped right. With all the courage she could muster, she sent him a message with a corny question along the lines of "what are you listening to on your record player" (it was far more corny - Luke remembers, and miraculously found it cute.) The two chatted, and agreed to meet for their first date on June 6th, 2020. The day consisted of rearranged driving plans due to a faulty steering pump, a first coffee date at Craft Coffee, and ended with hours of conversation under an arbor at McPherson County Courthouse park (where Luke later proposed in 2024). Luke was looking for a companion. Abby was not sure if she was looking for serious quite yet. She was quickly convinced otherwise, and the rest is history for these two. Their first "I love you" took place beneath the stars one crisp evening at Luke's childhood home in Independence Kansas. Their first post-college jobs were in different cities and the majority of Luke and Abby's dating relationship took place long-distance; Abby lived and worked in Wichita for a few years while working on her Master's degree, while Luke moved to his hometown Independence, Kansas after college to work, and later followed his family and their business, Concept Stitching, to Bartlesville, Oklahoma to continue to work and live up until 2024. The couple will live in Newton, Kansas following their wedding, where Luke currently lives with their beloved kitten, Cooper. Luke proposed to Abby on May the 4th (no Star Wars puns intended necessarily) following the annual C.A.R.S. Club Car Show at McPherson College. Like a normal car show day, Abby followed along agreeably, and anticipated their lunch date at Noffy's to follow, a frequent stop for the couple. Luke barely picked at his sandwich to Abby's concern, and the two stopped at the park outside the Courthouse following lunch. Luke began to lead Abby on a winding route through the little park, stopping at signs and memorial benches... to say the least, Abby was confused if not a little irritated at Luke's odd behavior. Finally, they reached the bench where they'd sat for hours on their very first date. Abby began to chatter with nostalgia, and turned to find Luke posed with the ring she'd always imagined - completely shocked and filled with surprise. There was some laughter and tears, and soon after Abby's best friend and Maid of Honor Annie emerged from behind a tree with a camera, and Abby's parents John and Cindy joined in on the tears and hugs soon after. The couple will be married outside Abby's hometown of Hesston, Kansas at an outdoor location, the Emma Creek Barn, to enjoy some of the Kansas spring countryside together. Please join us in celebrating our new beginning as a married couple. We are so, so excited for our life together.