JADE MADE LLC
Shelby & Justin
Shelby and Justin's story began at a church youth group, where a simple invitation from a friend would unknowingly change the course of Shelby's life forever. The very first time she saw Justin, she remembers thinking he was the cutest guy there. In fact, she made a promise to herself that day. "I'm going to marry him someday." For years, their story unfolded little by little. Between Shelby's sophomore and senior years of high school, the two flirted back and forth, creating memories they'll never forget. A sock monkey mug. A game of Mafia. Countless youth group nights. Then came the church lock-in. They stayed up talking the entire night, and afterward Shelby added Justin on Snapchat through a mutual friend. Within days, they had what was supposed to be a group date. Their friend mysteriously came down "sick," leaving the two of them to spend the evening together. Instead of dinner and a movie, they chose adventure. Driving back roads, visiting old cemeteries, laughing through every scare, and making memories that would eventually become part of their love story. One stop in particular became unforgettable: a lonely tree standing in the middle of the road and the nearby cemetery where Shelby nearly jumped straight into Justin's arms after hearing stories about the infamous "stairway to hell." It may sound like an unusual first date to most people, but for Shelby and Justin, it became one of the most cherished memories of where it all began.
Fast forward nine years. On July 3, 2023, what Shelby thought was simply another Fourth of July celebration at Justin's parents' house became one of the biggest moments of her life. Looking back, there were little clues along the way. Justin asked if she planned on curling her hair, then did his best to throw her off the trail. It almost worked. Until the first firework lit up the sky. Surrounded by family, friends, and the excitement of the holiday, Justin asked Shelby to marry him, turning one of their favorite celebrations into a memory they'll relive for the rest of their lives.
Today, after twelve years together, their relationship isn't defined by extravagant trips or packed schedules. They're homebodies at heart. You'll usually find them enjoying the simple things, spending time together, cheering on nieces and nephews at every sporting event, and making the most of ordinary days. It's a quiet kind of love, built on consistency, friendship, and choosing one another every single day. When it came time to plan their engagement session, there was never really another option. They wanted to return to the places where their story first began. The tree in the middle of the road. The cemetery that sparked so much laughter.
The nearby nature reserve that witnessed the beginning of something neither of them could have fully imagined. Dressed in black and burgundy with a dark, moody aesthetic, their engagement session wasn't just about beautiful portraits. It was about revisiting the places that shaped their relationship and honoring the memories that led them here.
Because the best locations aren't always the most scenic. Sometimes they're simply the places where your story was written. Shelby and Justin's relationship is proof that love isn't built in grand moments alone. It's built through years of conversations, shared faith, laughter, traditions, and showing up for one another through every season. Twelve years after a chance meeting at youth group, they're still choosing each other.
And now, they're getting ready for forever.
