Our Story
We met in NYC at a March Madness post-bracket celebration courtesy Brooke and Austin Gaiss (everyone tell them ‘thank you!’ at the wedding!). On our first date, we had drinks at the Chelsea Hotel and dinner at Shukette, talking about life in the city, mutual friends, faith, and family farms. The farm-talk on an NYC date was a first for both of us… and indicative of the deeper connection that made us so similar, Southerners living up North, shared values from our hometowns and shared dreams in the big city.
Him, According to Her
“Luke has the best character of anyone I know - which is crazy because he could just rely on his good looks ! If you're the sum of your five best friends, it only makes sense that you're the most influenced by your spouse... and from the beginning I saw that Luke's integrity, faith, and quiet confidence made him someone I wanted to be more like. His friend's describe him as "perpetually down" - always happy to hang, loving his friends and family with joy and consistency. What people don't always see is the quiet undercurrent of discipline and hardwork that allows him to spend all that time with everyone - his daily devotionals, his workouts even when he's up late, his constant learning and deep focus to become a better professional. And on top of all that, his story-telling always keeps me laughing... I'm so thankful to be marrying Luke!” - Mallory
Her, According to Him
“My first impression of Mal was one of beauty (obviously!) and pure fun - a woman as spirited as she is authentic, as driven as she is creative.... happy to have Shake Shack or a nice NYC date night, creating art and strategy for the biggest company in the world. Her joyful and, at times, hilariously unexpected personality (ever try to finish her sentences?) hooked me from day one. If you have the pleasure to know Mal deeply, you know she's also incredibly faithful and generous - boldly living her faith out in NYC... loyal beyond measure to her friends and family - keeping up with friends across the country... and fearless. (I’m doing my best to keep her off the motorcycle!) She's the easiest adventure buddy, whether the adventure is a spontaneous weekend upstate or a trip down the street to the bodega; the goofiest person I know by a long shot; and my best friend in the world!” - Luke