For weeks before they officially met, Ashley Calcatera had noticed a man she described as a “tall cowboy golfer” walking on campus. She told her mother many times how cute she thought the guy was. Luke and Ashley ran into each other often but had no reason to start a conversation.
According to Ashley, “After a few weeks of making eye contact and awkwardly smiling at each other, he made a move.”
Ashley was studying and eating breakfast on a picnic table near Wilson Hall when she heard footsteps and watched the cowboy golfer walk by. She went back to studying and didn’t think anything of it when she heard footsteps again. Luke had decided he wanted to meet Ashley, so when she looked up, he was there to introduce himself with a handshake.
Their busy schedules made it difficult for them to get together for a first date, but finally, they were able to meet in the middle of the day for Blizzards at Dairy Queen.
They were married in 2009 and have a two-year-old daughter, Josie, and another baby due in July. Luke works at Arkansas Tech as the Men’s golf coach, golf instructor, and Athletic Event Coordinator. Ashley is a Registered Dental Hygienist at Griffin Dental.
Each day throughout the week of Valentine’s Day, Arkansas Tech will share the story of one couple who found love at Arkansas Tech. Be sure to check back on ArkansasTechNews.com to see a new story each day.
