Here’s a small fact you should know: Luke loves Covington, and Covington loves Luke.

Luke and I met in the most original, cliché kind of way. On a college campus… in the main gym, on a basketball court. During the Spring Career Fair.

I was at the career fair on Harding’s end, helping out to take some photos. Luke was working on his company’s end, hiring young aspiring financial advisors. I remember vividly what Luke had on: a green shirt, green pants, and these brown shoes that kind of looked like clown shoes. He’s cute… wait. Are those clown shoes? I walked over. He’s even cuter close up.

Me: “I like your shoes.”
Luke: “Thanks, they're my grounding shoes.”
Me: “Your what?”
Luke: “Grounding shoes.” He stood there staring at me blankly.

I looked down. They didn't have the traditional sole on the bottom of them. They didn't really technically look like clown shoes as much as they looked like the baby shoes that a newborn wears to their baby dedication. He’s funny. I like it.

Me: “Oh, cute!” I said in hopes he'd want to continue a conversation.
Luke: “Are you looking for a job post-graduation?” he asked with concern as to why I was just standing there.
Me: “Oh, not technically, but sure… I’m looking into something medical,” I replied.

We chatted about his company for a solid 10 minutes, and I somehow managed to get myself an interview… with a financial firm. Involving finance. Once we wrapped up the talk, I departed, giggling to myself. I went over to a friend of mine telling her that I just got an interview with a financial firm. She looked at me saying, “Do you even know what that is?” I replied, “No, but he’s cute. Maybe I can get a date instead.”

I went through the majority of the interview process before I confessed to Luke’s boss, who does the interview before you do the final one with the president of the company, that I just wasn't interested in moving to Northwest Arkansas. Keep in mind, I followed Luke on Instagram during the process, and our original 20-minute interview on Zoom turned into an hour and a half on FaceTime… with my cell phone number ;)

We didn't talk for a couple of months post-interviews, and all I knew was he was probably so sad and missing me and my awesomeness.

In May of 2023, we somehow got back into communication over the phone, and it ended up where we talked for very long periods of time. I really started to like him and it was to the point that I got nervous he wouldn't like me back, so I dropped all communication with him.

Instant regret.

Two months later, I posted the most incredible photos of myself on Instagram for the Fourth of July. He also posted a very nice photo of himself after running a 5k. He's so cute. And he’s athletic. Dang it.

I was sitting in Kelli’s (my sister-in-law’s) kitchen with her, editing our photos from the shoot. When I was scrolling and we both looked at the pic, she said, “Dang, who’s that guy?” I told her how Luke and I were talking, but not anymore, and it was probably not gonna happen, and he’s probably not in love with me, and so forth and so on with drama added to it.

Kelli: “Dude, text him and stop being a wimp. He’s cute. He looks nice. Do it, or I’ll do it for you.”
Me: “Fine.”

So I did it. We chatted all day, like we had before I chickened out in May. It was like nothing had happened. The next day, Luke texted me telling me he was going to be in Central Arkansas for meetings and he’d like to grab a drink. I said sure!

THEN BAM our first date -- July 5, 2023.

And now we get to go on dates forever and ever.