a little DC love story

Luke & Paula over the years

Luke and Paula first met in 2019 working at a little known bar in downtown DC, called Blackfinn DC. They both remember the day they first met and can both recount exactly where they stood as they first shook hands. Starting as friends that landed the same Monday night shift week after week, they quickly realized that they both looked forward to those Monday nights each week.

Bonding over a shared love of music, Paula & Luke finally broke out of the ‘Finn in the summer of 2019. Quick coffee dates before work turned into dinners, drinks, and adventures all over DC. Fast forward to March of 2020 and well… you know the story there. Covid ended up fast-tracking this young love into reality. Luke & Paula chose to quarantine together in DC after Paula’s roommate left town. The day Luke brought over all 16 of his belongings, these two and, of course, Val, became a family of 3 ♡

Throughout that first year in that little apartment in Eckington, DC, Paula distinctly remembers Luke always ending days, sentences, and the occasional argument, with, “when you know, you know.” Surprising to no one, Paula broke her foot early into Covid and got to test Luke’s caregiving skills when she wound up with two screws in her foot 6 months later. His patience, kindness, and willingness to do whatever needed doing cemented Paula’s theory that Luke had been right all along. She really knew, too.

For their third anniversary, Luke & Paula spent a romantic day getting coffee, massages, and obviously stopping at the only Giants bar in DC to watch the game in the middle of the day, all before the days’ big event: ring shopping (just to look). After being dubbed the patron saint of waiting, two years later Luke popped the question in a place that’s become home to some of their favorite memories together, at Lake of the Woods in Virginia. With the promise that Luke will at least pretend not to be mad every time Paula brings home a new dog from now until the end of their days, Paula agreed in an instant.

Six years later, these two have experienced a lot of life together. Broken bones & recovery, job changes and career pivots, new apartments and neighborhoods, the loss of Paula’s dad in 2022, the ups and downs of pet-parenthood, and taking in 20 foster dogs throughout 2020-2023. Paula and Luke manage to keep each other laughing while navigating the highs and lows that ebb and flow throughout a life together. You can usually find them sharing music, going to or planning their next concert, trying new spots around DC, or taking an hour-long stroll with Val around the block. Whatever they’re doing, they’re probably laughing, poking fun at each other, and planning the next adventure.