Dear Friends and Family, Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are disappointed to have to announce the cancellation of celebrating our special day with you. Due to a timeline we have to keep, we are unable to postpone the wedding. We will still be holding an intimate ceremony with our immediate families. We will host a more casual celebration with everyone in San Diego and Kansas once things get back to normal. We hope to celebrate with you there. Thank you for your love and support during these uncertain times. Love, Luke and Daniela

I was living in Colorado trying to get into a school in Kansas when I traveled to Spain for the New Year. I went to visit a friend who lived in Madrid in an effort to travel while I still had time. I was told great things about the group of people he met through a missionary couple and made it a point to go to one of their Wednesday night events. There, I met a beautiful California girl. One of the days I was going to be left alone in Madrid while my friend had plans all day. I got her number to see if she wanted to take me around Madrid as I waited for my friend to get back. She did. From that day forward we never stopped talking. Thankfully I had planned on visiting my friend in San Diego in March so I knew I could make an excuse to see her again if she was willing to see me. I first visited in March, I knew I was going to marry her in May, and I officially proposed in October. Long distance wasn’t ideal, especially with the demands of school but it gave us an opportunity to grow in certain areas that will undoubtedly strengthen our marriage.

I was living in Madrid for a study abroad program with high expectations but instead was met by a difficult time. After visiting my family for Christmas I returned to Madrid for another two weeks to finish exams. On Wednesday night, I went to a weekly bible study hosted by a lovely missionary couple who encouraged me during my time there. As I hung up my coat I saw him turn the corner towards me and wondered who this stranger was. I sat down for dinner that night next to an empty chair hoping he would sit next to me so we could continue talking, he didn’t. I was disappointed. Instead he sat across from me and I found myself constantly sneaking glances. The next day I got a text asking if I wanted to hang out with him. I wondered how he had gotten my number but I didn’t care, I was excited. We eventually went for tacos in the city only to meet up again a few hours later, missing each other's company. We didn’t say goodbye that night until 2am. I never thought he would actually come to San Diego but he did. We decided long distance was better than nothing at all. I was sure he was what I had been praying for since I was a girl and I was ready to admit it to myself. I didn’t care we lived 1,332 miles apart, I knew I wanted to be with him. By April I was sure I loved him. I had never felt such a godly peace. I will be forever grateful for every moment spent with him seeing what God continues to do in our lives.