Justin grew up just one block away from Emily's grandparents' house in Loma Linda. It wasn't until years later that the two would meet and fall in love. <3 Emily was a first-year speech pathology graduate student and Justin was in his second year of medical school. Justin's friend from La Sierra, Allen Kim, and Emily's cousin, Emily Fraser, had been plotting to introduce Justin and Emily. (Allen and Emily have a 100% matchmaking success rate, wink wink.) One chilly December evening, Emily went to hear Justin play guitar and sing for an open mic at the Loma Linda farmer's market night. Justin sang Christmas songs, including his own Christmas version of Thinking Out Loud (!!!). They hit it off afterwards and began messaging each other on the regs. Later that week, Justin took Emily on their first date to Theron’s Frozen Custard. The two began studying together and Emily would cook Justin dinner on Tuesdays. The two connected over their faith, love of food, music, and Justin's corny jokes. A few months and one med school test cycle later, Justin officially asked Emily to be his girlfriend on Valentine's Day, complete with riddles and songs.

Fast forward two years! Justin told Emily that he had made "reservations" for "breakfast" in Encinitas. As she followed Justin down to the sand of Moonlight Beach, Emily realized then that she wasn't about to order a Belgian waffle...she was about to get a fiancé! Justin proposed, Emily said YES, and here we are looking forward to forever!