the lovebirds

The following story is an excerpt from a Courier-Journal Valentine’s Day article which originally ran on February 14, 2007:

the lovebirds

Byron Lukins and Jackie Nalley, both 23.

How they met: Byron and Jackie, who both have Down syndrome, met at the Brown School. "We went to a dance in middle school, I was hanging out with my friends, she was hanging out with her friends, and um, that's how I met her," said Byron. "I said, 'Will you be my girlfriend?' She said, 'Yeah.' "

What they like about each other: "She's beautiful, she's cute and she's cuddly and I love her," Byron said. "He's a good man. He's funny. I do like it when he's silly; he's also very serious sometimes. He's kind of cute …," said Jackie.

The proposal: In high school, Byron bought Jackie a diamond and sapphire promise ring. She wears it on a chain around her neck. "I saw the ring and he chose it and he asked me to marry him," said Jackie. The couple have already chosen a date, location and honeymoon -- St. Augustine, Fla. -- for their wedding. Jackie plans to move in with Byron, who lives next door to his mother, Lynn. "It was just something always understood, that they were going to get married," said Lynn Lukins.

What they do together: Play sports -- "I teach her how to catch fly balls for softball," said Byron. Watch movies -- "Walk the Line" is a favorite. Eat -- "I took her out to Ramsi's Cafe on the World," he said. They are also taking a dance class and enjoy putting together puzzles. "Every Friday I always tickle her," said Byron, of their usual date night.

Nicknames: "I call him by the nickname 'Handsome,' " said Jackie. He calls her "Princess."

Valentine's Day: "I'm gonna take her to a dance," said Byron. "I'll probably make him a card," she said.






							The following story is an excerpt from a Courier-Journal Valentine’s Day article which originally ran on February 14, 2007: the lovebirds Byron Lukins and Jackie Nalley, both 23. How they met: Byron and Jackie, who both have Down syndrome, met at the Brown School. "We went to a dance in middle school, I was hanging out with my friends, she was hanging out with her friends, and um, that's how I met her," said Byron. "I said, 'Will you be my girlfriend?' She said, 'Yeah.' " What they like about each other: "She's beautiful, she's cute and she's cuddly and I love her," Byron said. "He's a good man. He's funny. I do like it when he's silly; he's also very serious sometimes. He's kind of cute …," said Jackie. The proposal: In high school, Byron bought Jackie a diamond and sapphire promise ring. She wears it on a chain around her neck. "I saw the ring and he chose it and he asked me to marry him," said Jackie. The couple have already chosen a date, location and honeymoon -- St. Augustine, Fla. -- for their wedding. Jackie plans to move in with Byron, who lives next door to his mother, Lynn. "It was just something always understood, that they were going to get married," said Lynn Lukins. What they do together: Play sports -- "I teach her how to catch fly balls for softball," said Byron. Watch movies -- "Walk the Line" is a favorite. Eat -- "I took her out to Ramsi's Cafe on the World," he said. They are also taking a dance class and enjoy putting together puzzles. "Every Friday I always tickle her," said Byron, of their usual date night. Nicknames: "I call him by the nickname 'Handsome,' " said Jackie. He calls her "Princess." Valentine's Day: "I'm gonna take her to a dance," said Byron. "I'll probably make him a card," she said. back to top>

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