Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Summer

Our Wedding

Luke and I had both been single for several years. We’d each decided to just live our lives, travel, and work. If someone came along who we wanted to spend forever with, that would be great. But neither of us were seeking anyone out. One day, Luke received a text from a friend who used to go to his church. This friend now goes to church with my sister. The text had a picture of me and said that his wife thought we might make a good couple. He added that he had filtered out other women his wife had suggested, but thought we might actually be a good fit. Luke thought about it for a few days, but was busy traveling for work and planning a trip to Japan, so he waited. Meanwhile, I was told that this friend wanted to set us up and asked if I would text him or be willing to meet up to go on a blind date (both of which I didn't feel comfortable doing). I didn't want to start a texting or long distance relationship with anyone. I feel like it can be difficult to really get to know someone unless you see them in person- reacting to different situations on a daily or weekly basis. However, I relented. If he wanted to text me, I would consider texting him back. I figured it wouldn't hurt to at least make a new acquaintance or friend from it. I also figured we were old enough to know what we wanted, and to be intentional in our texts. Well, in March, Luke came to Oklahoma City for work. One evening he went out to eat with a vendor and some coworkers. He was bored and thought, Hey why not text this girl, so I can tell my friend I texted her. So I got a text from a random number that said, "Hey, is this Anna?" I googled the area code, and it was a western Nebraska number. I texted back, "Yes." But then I felt like that was too short, so I said, "Who is this?" He said his name was Luke and a mutual friend had given him my number. We started texting, and we’ve never stopped. After texting, talking on the phone, and FaceTiming for a couple of months, we met in person and hit it off. He asked me to be his girlfriend, and I said yes. I had been praying for a while that God would send me a man who would text me first, want to pursue me, and that I wouldn't fall in love unless it was with my future husband. Long distance wasn't easy with visits to each other's homes and to meet the families, but we made it work and we can't wait for the day we don't have to be apart. I had always heard the saying, "When you know, you know." It never made sense until I met Luke. I'm so thankful we waited for each other and waited on God's timing!

How we met.

The Turner family invited me to go on vacation with them to Kauai, Hawaii in November of 2024. I was stoked and extremely grateful to accompany them. We had a wonderful time snorkeling, going on a boat tour, and exploring the wonderful beaches of the island. 	The last day, however, stands out the most for me. I wondered if Luke would propose in Hawaii since we both love the ocean, but the days came and went and I decided on the last day he must be waiting until another time, which I was completely fine with. I wanted him to propose how he wanted and when he wanted. Luke knows me pretty well. He knows that I am shy and private and wouldn't enjoy a big public engagement. Both of us like to do things uniquely and not go based off tradition, so he knew he didn't want to propose by making a scene going down on one knee at sunset on the beach. 	On our last day there we were swimming at a gorgeous secluded (there were only a few other people there and were all spread out) beach called Donkey Beach, body surfing the waves and getting pummeled by them, having a blast. A few times, we swam out past them to relax in the warm, clear water. 	After a couple of hours, Luke suggested we swim back out past the waves and I was game, so we swam out there. He said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and asked if I would marry him. I was a little confused at first, but then it clicked and I was shocked and so excited! He pulled a ring out of a little pocket in his swim trunks (it had amazingly stayed in there amongst the undertow). I said yes, yes, yes! 	And bobbing there out in the ocean, he put the ring on my finger. We both love the ocean and I always tease that I’m a mermaid, so it was so fitting&nbsp;that’s where he proposed. It was the perfect surprise, the end to a wonderful vacation, and the start of forever together!&nbsp;

Luke & Anna

Luke & Anna

L&A

Wedding Day