Luke and Kim met online on Bumble in February 2022. Luke liked that Kim made the first move to talk and Kim liked that Luke wanted to talk on the phone for hours at night before they even met in person.

They planned for their first date on February 27th. When they finally met, Luke was disappointed to see that Kim didn’t have purple hair (from her deceptive profile picture.) Even with that, the first thing he said to her when she got out of the car was “wow, you are so beautiful.”

Their first date was at a brewery. Luke was so nervous, and to impress Kim and sound clever, he asked the bartender, “what’s your least popular drink?” Ordering the least popular drink became a tradition of theirs every time they went to a place like this.

Kim and Luke made arrangements for a second date to take place the very next day. They both knew it was love at first sight.

They spent the next few months getting to know each other and going on fun and unique dates.

In July 2022, Luke got sick with COVID. Kim cared for Luke, bought him groceries, and made his favorite meal—cream of wheat (which Kim thinks is gross). After Luke recovered and they were reunited without masks, face shields, and gloves, Luke told Kim he loved her for the first time. She, of course, said it back.

Their love continued to grow and strengthen as time passed. They continued to be silly and loving.

In November 2022, Kim and Luke went on their first staycation / vacation together in Temecula. Since then, they have gone to Big Bear, Malibu, Washington, Idaho, Paris, Athens, and Santorini.

One day, Kim decided to complete a Paint-by-Numbers portrait of a bulldog (gifted to her by the maid of honor, thank you so much). Luke thought it was so wonderful, he hung it in his apartment and they named him Bud (after a contestant on Forged in Fire). For Kim’s birthday later that year, Luke gifted her a stuffed animal (or plushie as Luke calls them) bulldog that was almost identical to the painting, whom they also named Bud. He quickly became part of the family, sharing time between both of their apartments (but let's just admit it, that was an excuse to see each other more).

After two years of dating, in January 2024, they decided to move in together. This was a big step, but they were ready for it.

Luke: "Batteries don't belong in the fridge!"

Kim: "Clean up your beard hair trimmings!"

Luke and Kim were planning a big trip to Europe, and Kim had a hunch that Luke was going to propose. On May 8th, 2024, one week before they were due to leave, Kim came home from working late to find Luke had decorated the entire apartment with 100 candles and a path of flower petals up the stairs (recreating the proposal scene in Friends). Luke was waiting for her at the top of the stairs, told her how much he loved her, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. Kim, after almost falling to the floor in shock, of course said yes. Even though Kim thought it was going to happen in Paris, having it happen just the two of them inside the home they built together was perfect in every way. Luke admits he was too scared to bring the ring through TSA.

As they plan their wedding together, they can’t wait to celebrate their love with all the most important people in their lives.