After chatting for a few days, Luke asked Kelli if she wanted to get dinner. The dates he suggested didn’t quite work with Kelli’s schedule, so instead, they decided to meet that night—just a few hours after he asked.

They met at Strang Hall on a late-August evening. Kelli wasn’t completely sure what she thought about dating a bald guy, but Luke seemed nice enough, so she decided to give it a chance. She even missed the New Heights podcast that night, where Taylor Swift announced The Life of a Showgirl—thankfully, it turned out to be worth it.

Dinner turned into a walk through the surrounding neighborhoods, and the walk turned into hours of talking. They found themselves having conversations that felt much deeper than a typical first date, sharing stories, getting to know each other, and realizing just how easy it was to keep talking.

Eventually, Luke walked Kelli back to her car. And then he left without asking for her number or suggesting a second date.

Thankfully, later that night, he sent her his phone number through the app. They started texting, planned a second date, and things continued from there.

By their third date, Luke was offering to pick Kelli up at 4:00 a.m. and drive her to the airport so she could visit her best friend in Georgia. Three days later, he picked her up from the airport with flowers. That night, they took their first picture together at the Sunflower statue in Meadowbrook Park, and on September 6, they officially became a couple.

Since then, they’ve built a life together out of all the little things they love doing side by side. They enjoy cooking together, working out and going for a run, going antiquing, reading, going to Royals games, and spending evenings watching their favorite shows, especially The Traitors and Dancing with the Stars.

They’ve loved traveling together, too, with trips to New York City and Phoenix becoming some of their favorite memories. They’ve cheered each other on, explored new places, made countless memories, and learned that even a house divided between Chiefs and Eagles fans can work.

Their first time looking at rings was during a Spring Training trip to Phoenix. Kelli was so nervous that her hands were shaking and she couldn’t even try one on. Eventually, they looked at rings again back home, where Kelli found one she loved.

What she didn’t know was that Luke bought it that same day.

On May 16, they spent the morning doing one of their favorite things—antiquing. Later that day, when Luke dropped Kelli off at home, he suggested that they meet at the park that evening instead of going to the restaurant where they had reservations.

Kelli immediately became suspicious.

When she arrived at Meadowbrook Park, Luke was waiting underneath a tree by the Sunflower statue where they took their first picture. He walked up and handed her a gift, and then got down on one knee and pulled out the most beautiful ring.

They spent that night celebrating at Verbena and FaceTiming the people they love most, sharing the news and soaking in the excitement of what was ahead.

As we look toward our wedding day, we are continually reminded by what an amazing community of people we have. We could not be more excited to celebrate our big day with you and appreciate all the advice, support, and love along the way. We can’t wait to party with you on April 24!