Luke and Leigh met online while Luke was student teaching in the Des Moines area and Leigh was in grad school at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. They officially met in person in Cedar Falls during homecoming weekend, and their date included getting ice cream and watching college football. After the first date, Luke was intrigued by her beauty and love of sports, while Leigh was charmed by his sense of humor and kindness. After ten months together, Luke was deployed to Afghanistan. While this was a long, challenging time for the couple, their love for each other only continued to grow. During the time Luke was overseas, Leigh moved to Luke’s home town, Ankeny, IA, so she could be close to him when he returned. When Luke got home, Leigh started her internship as a school psychologist at Heartland Area Education Agency and Luke started substitute teaching in the Ankeny schools. Luke proposed to Leigh on October 27, 2023, four years after they first became “official.” Leigh was completely caught off guard, which is a feat in itself because the couple struggles to keep secrets from each other! Five years after they first met, Luke and Leigh still live in Ankeny. Luke is a PE teacher and coach at Perry Elementary and Leigh is a school psychologist for Heartland AEA serving Indianola and Carlisle schools.

In their free time, Luke and Leigh love watching sports, playing golf and pickleball, game nights, and being in each other’s company. Luke is a faithful Nebraska Husker fan and Leigh is a faithful Minnesota Gopher fan, but they have learned to cheer for and embrace each school - unless they are playing each other, of course! Luke and Leigh have already been on many adventures together, including traveling to Hilton Head Island, Asheville, Duluth, and Europe. The couple is excited to continue their travels together by venturing to Jamaica for their honeymoon. After they are married, Luke and Leigh will be moving to Minnesota to start a new and exciting chapter of their lives.

Luke and Leigh would like to thank their families and friends for the support and guidance throughout the wedding planning process. They are so excited to celebrate their love with everyone and begin their lives together as one!