Lucas and Emily officially met in January 2023 in Ludwig Dining Hall after church. After talking for about 2 1/2 hours at brunch, Lucas and Emily started pursuing a friendship for several months. From January to April, they spent time getting to know each other at events hosted by their college ministry.

At the end of the semester, Emily jokingly said, "Don't be a stranger this summer." Lucas did not take that lightly, as he reached out at the end of May. Last summer, Emily went on the Summer Mountain Project in Tennessee. Lucas stayed home in Missouri. He had an engineering internship and an internship with his home church. After Lucas reached out in May, Lucas and Emily talked every day until July 16, 2023, when they decided to only FaceTime on Sundays for the rest of the summer. The distance allowed Lucas and Emily to seek counsel and prayer before beginning a relationship. On August 18, 2023, Lucas mailed Emily a handwritten letter to express his reasonings for furthering the pursuit of a relationship.

When Emily and Lucas returned to school for their fall semester, Lucas planned a first date on August 26, 2023. Lucas and Emily learned to balance nursing school, clinical, football, and ministry during the school year. The Lord taught Emily and Lucas how to speak truth in love and communicate with gentleness and patience. Every day, The Lord reminded them of His grace and the goodness of The Gospel.

On May 11, Lucas proposed to Emily! May 11 was a day of answered prayers and a reflection of God's love for His people. God has shown his faithfulness to Lucas and Emily throughout their friendship and dating relationship. Lucas and Emily are excited to see how God will use their marriage for His glory!

Thank you for helping us furnish our first home together. We are grateful for your generosity as we begin our marriage! If you would like to give a cash gift towards our honeymoon/future home, please venmo us @lucaseckles to avoid any fees.