Luke and Parni’s love story began in Chicago, Illinois. The two first crossed paths on Hinge thanks to the app's algorithm suggesting they would be a great match. Parni first broke the ice by messaging Luke asking if he would be watching the upcoming Ohio State v Wisconsin Badger's game. Luke, a proud Buckeye, and Parni, a loyal Badger, quickly discovered that their playful back-and-forth was a natural spark. That same week, they planned their first date — November 1, 2019. Luke, being the clever guy that he is, picked a bar just a block north of Parni’s apartment in Lincoln Park. Parni, flustered by Luke’s great looks, first ordered ‘what he’s having’ only to come to realize at the first sip that the spicy margarita was indeed spicy, which led to the order of a house margarita. Their evening continued with more drinks and some friendly competition at an arcade nearby. You could say the date was a success because Luke asked Parni when he could see her next... In January 2021, Parni moved to Washington DC for her master’s in public policy while Luke stayed in Chicago, supporting her every step of the way. After a year and a half of airports, FaceTimes, and “I miss you” texts, they are now happily settled in DC — same city, same time zone, no flight required.
On March 29, 2025, Luke proposed to Parni at the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia — a country inn filled with French and English charm, nestled against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The timing could not have been more meaningful. Parni was preparing to travel to Iran the following weekend with her mom to visit her grandparents and extended family. Before she left, Luke suggested a little staycation as a way to spend time together outside DC before being a part for 4 weeks. For Luke, it was important to not only create a meaningful memory for the two of them, but also for Parni to share their engagement in-person with her family abroad, especially her grandparents. Luke and Parni began their stay at the Inn with afternoon tea and crumpets on the terrace, followed by a tour of the historic inn and its charming homes. Later, as they were dressing for dinner, Luke suggested a walk to the Field of Dreams. As they were taking photos together in the Field of Dreams, Luke's tone suddenly changed and the next thing Parni knew, Luke was on one knee asking for her hand in marriage. Parni was so excited that everything around her just went quiet for a moment…which is saying a lot for her. Saying ‘yes’ to Luke was the easiest decision she’s ever made ♥️ After a professional photo session around the Inn’s grounds, they celebrated with an unforgettable 3 Michelin Star dinner. Each dish was like a work of art. Filled with the happiness of their engagement, the evening felt intimate and celebratory.