We were both working for Panera Bread locations on Staten Island at the time, Justin was a manager at one location while Jia Min was a supervisor at another. One of the managers at Jia Min’s location called out sick and Justin was called to cover that shift. We were on the same shift together, we met, shook hands and started to casually get to know each other. Jia Min was studying to eventually pass her NYC Food Handler’s license test. Justin knew this and offered to help her study and we traded contact info. A couple weeks later we went to get dinner and play billiards on our first date and the rest is history! We knew we had something special from the moment we first met, and we’re so happy to spend the rest of our lives together.

Justin bought Jia Min’s engagement ring in July 2021, and kept it a secret for months while finding the right time to ask for Jia Min’s hand in marriage. Thanksgiving night of that same year Justin knew he was going to ask Mr. Lin for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Nervous as he was, he asked (as best as he could) in Cantonese. After many re-assuring questions thinking, he said yes! A few days after that, Justin and his mother were sitting at the kitchen table trying to come up with a date for the proposal. We realized that we had a very busy month ahead, and came down to “how about next Saturday?” We reached out her family and friends and everybody was available. Jia Min is a huge fan of string lights and Christmas decorations, so December was perfect. Justin’s mom set up their entire backyard into a beautiful area for such a memorable moment. There was Christmas decorations, candles and lights galore! Jia Min arrived at the house, thinking we were headed out for dinner and completely oblivious to what was about to happen. Justin took her to the backyard to see his parents who were already outside, and Justin walked her to the lit up tree where she saw all of her family and friends watching and waiting for the big moment. Justin got on one knee, asked for her hand in marriage. Jia Min said, "YES!" and we celebrated after one of the greatest nights of our lives!