FOREVER FEST

Justin is from Corinth, Mississippi. Leslie is from Austin, Texas. Two very different backgrounds, but after college, our paths crossed in Colorado Springs. In the spring of 2015, we met through a mutual friend—a casual, unplanned introductions that would ultimately change our lives forever. At the time, Justin was serving in the U.S. Air Force, and Leslie was working for the United States Olympic Committee. That summer, we spent all our time together—hiking, camping, and making the most of Colorado. But after only five months of dating, Leslie got an opportunity she couldn’t pass up: a role at Sports Illustrated in New York City. Justin fully supported the move, and we decided to give long distance a real shot. Neither of us had experience with long distance, but we sensed the relationship was worth it. We committed to 100% honesty and presence, even from afar. We did everything we could to stay connected—planning trips, flying back and forth, Facetiming, and learning how to show up for each other. Eventually, Justin got stationed at an Air Force base in Boston, bringing us into the same time zone. That shift—from cross-country flights to weekend bus rides—made a huge difference. Finally, we could see each other every week, not just every month. For three years, our relationship was thoroughly road-tested. In 2018, Leslie moved to Boston, and we finally started life in the same city. What we didn’t expect was starting that chapter in a hotel—Justin’s house had caught fire just a month before the move, so our first “home” was a Homewood Suites. It wasn’t what we pictured, but in its own way, it was perfect. We quickly learned that “home” wasn’t a place—it was being with each other. After two years of East Coast adventures (and finally taking vacations that didn’t revolve around visiting each other), we set our sights on moving back to Colorado. But then the pandemic changed everything. In the summer of 2020, we took a cross-country road trip to celebrate our best friends’ wedding in Colorado and visit family in Austin and Corinth. Along that loop around the country, we decided to move back to Austin, where we helped Leslie’s parents renovate a downtown condo, and lived in it while doing so. From that tiny 375-square-foot apartment, we both worked full-time and kept dreaming big. We reconnected with old friends, made new ones, and started laying the groundwork for the life we wanted to build. In 2021, we bought our first home in South Austin and became Airbnb Superhosts. The following year, we stopped drinking to focus on our health, fitness, and long-term goals. We committed to becoming the best version of ourselves for each other, and in 2023, we got engaged. Justin surprised Leslie with a dream trip to Porto, Portugal, where he proposed. After nine years together, it was the easiest yes ever. By 2024, the dream of traveling the world was finally within reach. After years of planning, Justin retired, and Leslie transitioned to part-time work as a fitness coach. The stars aligned, and we took the leap—just the two of us and a couple of backpacks. Our dream adventure finally became a reality. We spent the first six months of 2025 traveling through Asia and Europe. We tried everything and learned so much about the world and ourselves. Coming home still in love was the real sign: our relationship wasn’t just road-tested—it was globe-tested. They say relationships are tested by distance, time, and change. Ours has been shaped by all three—and we’re stronger because of it. Now, we're beyond grateful to celebrate this next chapter with y'all at Forever Fest.