P & J

Pinal and Justin both grew up in Nashville, TN, but never gave each other a second thought as they were in different friend groups—despite crossing paths often, even during their Kumon days (yes, those days). It wasn’t until college at UTK, surrounded by house parties and late-night conversations, that a true friendship began to take shape. Truth be told… our sweet loverboy Justin caught feelings first 😉 Pinal, on the other hand, saw him as her go-to friend, the kind you talk to about everything under the sun. They shared music back and forth, bonding over songs they still listen to today. Then came the work dinner in 2019. Pinal needed a plus one… and a “fake boyfriend” so she didn’t look tragically alone. She asked Justin, and to her surprise, he said yes. That night, he made her laugh, smile, and see him in a new light... with a side of Texas Roadhouse rolls & peanuts. Something changed. When he dropped her back off at her apartment, Justin, ever the gentleman, didn’t make a move. But Pinal? She didn’t wait. She went in for the kiss—and just like a scene from a movie, there were sparks, butterflies, and that feeling people always talk about. Who knew Texas Roadhouse could be so magical? For the past 7 years, they’ve grown through life together and grown as a couple during their long-distance relationship. Despite living in different cities: from Chattanooga to Knoxville, then Murfreesboro, six hours apart between Memphis and Atlanta, and back to Murfreesboro. It hasn’t always been easy, but the distance only strengthened their love. Now, they’re ready for their next chapter — one city, one home, one forever — something they have waited for since 2019.

If you know Pinal, you know she’s a planner at heart—sticky notes always within reach, five calendars in rotation, and an itinerary for every trip. So when she and Justin planned a celebratory getaway to mark the end of her last summer break in grad school, it was more than just a vacation—it was a meaningful pause to reflect on all that had been accomplished, and all that was to come. Pinal had casually hinted (okay, maybe more than once) at the idea of a beach proposal. She dreamed of something simple and beautiful, surrounded by nature, the sound of waves, and a peaceful kind of quiet. Reflects how she and Justin are as a couple, for sure. So when Justin suggested a sunrise photoshoot, she was surprised—but also thrilled. He had never been one to seek out the camera, and the thought of him wanting to capture those early morning moments with her felt incredibly special. With a quiet hope, Pinal picked out a dress—what she called her “engagement dress”—and packed it. And in classic Pinal fashion, she made sure the photographer checked all the boxes (because God forbid the angle isn’t flattering). Letting Justin pick the photographer? That was a stretch. But by some miracle, he nailed it—and worked behind the scenes to pull off a surprise she truly didn’t see coming. The morning of the proposal was serene. The sky was brushed with soft golden light, and the ocean breeze carried a quiet calm. Justin and Pinal, both early risers, felt at home in the moment as they walked hand in hand along the beach toward the shoot. Now, Pinal being Pinal, tried to scope out Justin’s pockets on the walk to the beach for any hint of a ring box… and saw nothing. So she figured, okay—maybe this is just a really cute photoshoot. She let her guard down and soaked in the moment (and considered having to rewear the engagement dress if needed). As the shoot began, the photographer eased them into a few candid poses. Then, she gently asked Pinal to turn around to "have Justin run from behind and catch her". When Pinal turned back around, she saw Justin down on one knee. Her heart skipped. In that instant, everything slowed—just the two of them and the beginning of something new unfolding in front of her. It was a moment neither of them would ever forget. They spent the rest of the day celebrating at the resort, surrounded by sunshine, laughter, love, pina coladas, & blue hawaiians. Cancun would always hold a special place in their story—the place where one chapter ended and the next one began.