It was the relationship of the early 2000s that kept us on the edge of our seats throughout the run of Gilmore Girls before they made it official. What began as a simple coffee order turned into one of TV’s most beloved love stories: the connection between Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and Luke Danes (Scott Patterson).
The leadup to the union between Luke and Lorelai had us all in a tight grip, constantly making us wonder if it would ever happen and if so, when. After four seasons of flirtatious comments and hilarious banter, Luke and Lorelai finally ended up together for a while, only to break up and eventually get back together. But there is much more to their story than that — find out all of the juicy details of the fictional relationship between Lorelai Gilmore and Luke Danes.
How Luke and Lorelai first met
Luckily for fans, the Gilmore Girls’ creators offered some insight into how the couple met in season five during their first date. When Lorelai questions how they first met, Luke immediately begins listing details, explaining that it was during the lunch rush at Luke’s Diner nearly eight years prior.
He explains, “This person comes tearing into the place in a caffeine frenzy… I tell her to wait her turn.” Luke then explains that Lorelai asked for his birthday, to which he eventually gave in and shared, and Lorelai wrote something in the newspaper, tore out his horoscope and handed it to him. Under Scorpio it read, “You will meet an annoying woman today. Give her coffee and she will go away.”
Lorelai told Luke to keep the piece of paper, which she didn’t actually expect him to do. But then, Luke pulls the newspaper clipping out of his wallet, from 8 years prior, making the jaws of the audience (and Lorelai) drop.
Luke and Lorelai become good friends
Following their initial meeting, Luke and Lorelai had a rather business-like relationship: Lorelai would go into his diner for coffee and Luke would (reluctantly) give her the coffee. Although Luke is known for his grumpy personality, he is soft-hearted, especially for Lorelai and her daughter, Rory.
In early season 1, it seems like the two might be on the path to admitting feelings for each other: when they paint the diner together, during Rory’s party when Luke delivers much-needed ice and when he makes Lorelai a Santa burger because she was uninvited from her parent’s Christmas party. Plus, Lorelai gets involved with Max (Scott Cohen), who becomes a major hurdle for the two.
Seasons 2 and 3 cause tension between Luke and Lorelai
But when complications arise between Lorelai and Rory’s dad, Christopher, her potential romance with Luke is put on the back burner. By season 2, Luke’s nephew Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) comes to Stars Hollow, causing tension between Luke and Lorelai. As Jess grows closer to Rory, problems arise between Luke and Lorelai.
Season 3 seems to be a dead stop for the Luke and Lorelai train, as he begins dating Nicole, who he goes on to accidentally marry. Meanwhile, Lorelai dates other men and Max makes a return.
Love begins to bloom in season 4
Following a rocky few seasons, it seems that love might be on the horizon for the eventual couple. Although Nicole is still in the picture for a short while, it doesn’t take long to sort that one out. Lorelai goes on to date her father’s business partner, Jason, for much of season 4.
After his divorce from Nicole, a self-help tape helps Luke realize his true feelings for Lorelai. By the end of season 4, Luke and Lorelai have their first kiss!
Back to their magical first date in season 5, Luke and Lorelai get together long enough for a dinner, and they soon begin dating. With their usual banter, plus the additional bonus of a few adorable scenes, Luke and Lorelai become the most memorable couple of the series (despite a short breakup mid-season). And to everyone’s surprise, Lorelai proposes to Luke by the end of season 5!
But, of course, just when it seems all is well between them, both Luke and Lorelai have to deal with their own personal issues: Luke discovers he has a 13-year-old daughter, whom he keeps a secret, and Lorelai’s daughter, Rory, drops out of college, causing issues between the mother-daughter duo.
This is when things begin to go downhill for the two, especially when Lorelai gives Luke an ultimatum, tired of putting off their wedding. When Luke doesn’t have an answer, Lorelai goes back to her roots and looks for support from Christopher and the two end up together.
Luke and Lorelai are… uncertain
To the disappointment of most fans, Luke and Lorelai are over when season 7 begins and Lorelai is back with her ex, Christopher. They end up quickly tying the knot and have a whirlwind romance, but are split by the end of the series. And although Luke is upset with Lorelai for the majority of the season, he does turn to her a few times for help with his daughter. The series finale is where we finally see a reunion between the two and a kiss, marking a new beginning for their relationship.
Cut to Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Luke and Lorelai seem to be happier than ever 10 years into their life together, but unmarried. However, as the Netflix miniseries goes on, we see Lorelai questioning her relationship and future with Luke as they consider bringing more kids into the mix and officially tying the knot.
Luke and Lorelai’s wedding
After a soul-searching backpacking trip, Lorelai returns knowing she wants to marry Luke. The end of the miniseries features a wedding between the two lovebirds. The two were married in a sweet ceremony the night before their actual wedding, which is a typical Lorelai move. Luke and Lorelai officially exchanged vows in the gazebo, an essential piece of Gilmore Girls, as the song “Reflecting Light” by Sam Phillips plays in the background.
