Jessica and Junior’s story started back in 2014 when they met as high school freshmen. At first, it was just crossing paths in the hallways and sharing a few classes, but over time, their lives started to overlap more and more. Jess eventually became part of Junior’s friend group, and in their junior year, something big happened—Junior felt led by God to start attending her church, praying for his family to be saved. That decision changed everything.

From that point on, they were seeing each other all the time—at church, at youth events, and especially at Jess’s house, where Junior became a regular. He quickly grew close to her family, spending several nights a week hanging out there, and it just became normal.

When they graduated in 2018, they both chose to study computer science at the same college, which only brought them closer. This time, Junior ended up joining Jess’s college friend group. Between school, church, family gatherings, and late-night group chats, their lives were fully intertwined. Neither of them planned it, but it felt meant to be.

Their friendship had its ups and downs. There were seasons when they were super close, sharing everything, and others when they drifted a little. But even during the quiet stretches, they always showed up when it mattered. That push and pull shaped the foundation they didn’t even know they were building.

Junior had started liking Jessica back in 2017, but he kept it to himself, trusting that if it was meant to be, it would be. Years went by, and then slowly, Jessica started seeing him differently too. What had always been a close friendship started to shift, and it felt like maybe something more was happening. Junior picked up on it, and eventually, they had a real, honest conversation about what was going on—why they hadn’t been as close lately, and how neither of them actually wanted that distance. On February 20, 2022, they both admitted they had feelings for each other. From that moment on, things changed.

They spent the next couple of years getting even closer—learning how to love each other well, putting God first, and growing together in ways that made their relationship stronger every day.

Then, on October 12, 2024, during a perfect day in Newport, Rhode Island, Junior got down on one knee and asked Jessica to marry him. It was emotional, intentional, and everything she had hoped for.

Now, they serve as youth leaders at their church—the same place where their story really began. They love watching shows together, making each other laugh, and dreaming about the future. Their relationship hasn’t always been picture-perfect, but it’s been real, honest, and full of faith. And more than anything, it’s a reminder of how God’s timing is always better than our own.

As they get ready to say “I do,” Jessica and Junior are excited for the next chapter—a lifetime of love, laughter, ministry, and continuing to grow together.

J&J