Kristie is originally from Rochester, NY. She and Justin first met while he was in the area visiting his grandma over the holidays. Although Kristie was hesitant at first when she learned that Justin lived in New Jersey, he quickly won her over with his witty sense of humor and ability to make her smile even on the worst of days. Kristie says, “while we were dating long distance we sat on Skype, both with guitars in hand; he’d help me improve my picking and I’d sing songs for him.” How sweet are these two?? After dating long distance for 6 months, Kristie took a leap of faith and moved to New Jersey to be with Justin. She says, “Since then we’ve lived together and become best friends and partners in everything.”

This proposal story is one for the books. When I asked Kristie how Justin proposed, this is what she told me, “I think I kind of ruined it! We were on a family vacation in a beautiful place  – Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. We went with his family, but stayed 4 days after everyone else left. On the family’s last day there, I wasn’t feeling well and ended up sleeping in our hotel room the whole day. He tried to wake me a few times but I resisted until I had to get up and get ready for family dinner. I put on my prettiest dress, and I was rushing around like a crazy lady (whose hair does not tolerate the DR humidity well), and we were almost late. We were about to leave our room when he suddenly just got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes right away and clung to him. I was so caught off guard by the proposal happening amidst my rushing around. He said he had another plan, but wanted to propose before his family left and ran out time to wait! He proposed to me with his mother’s engagement ring. His mother passed away when he was in his early 20’s and he was very close with her, and it was really important that he share this moment with his father and brother that night. After dinner, we met with the family and announced our engagement to his father, his grandma, his brother Jeff and Jeff’s girlfriend. They reacted in such a loving, welcoming way, and it was a special emotional moment for all of us. Then we opened the champagne! Yay!” I love how sweet and sentimental this moment was for Kristie & Justin! And that they were able to celebrate with family afterwards!