Kyndall and Justin’s love story began on the campus of Texas Southern University, where they were both part of the same study group. From time to time it would only be the two of them available to study, and it was moments like those that they began to learn more about each other. It wouldn’t be until after attending a basketball game that Kyndall realized her feelings for Justin were more than just friendly. In her words, “he got my attention by texting me, ‘I see you.’ I looked back, saw him … I got this strange-tingly feeling come over my body…”
Continue reading all about Kyndall & Justin’s love story, Eiffel Tower proposal, and wedding aspirations in their fun and stylish Texas engagement.
Bride & Groom-to-be: Kyndall & Justin
Occupations: Event Coordinator/Travel Specialist & ESPN Production Coordinator
Wedding date: June 28th, 2019
Wedding location: Breathless Punta Cana Spa & Resort, Dominican Republic
Location of Engagement shoot: Houston Hobby Airport/Texas Southern University/Downtown Houston
How did you meet? January 2010, while we were young and broke college students in Dr. B’s Media Studies class. Everyone in the School of Communications at TSU knows Dr. B doesn’t play when it comes to earning your grade, so a few of us got together to form a study group. We’d study and prepare for the class together every now and then, even a couple times just the two of us. But I honestly didn’t think twice about Justin until one day while at a basketball game he got my attention by texting me, “I see you.” I looked back, saw him, he waved and smiled, that beautiful smile. At that exact time, I got this strange-tingly feeling come over my body. From the inside-out, I smiled and waved back.
Fast forward a couple of months, it’s Spring Break, we’re still broke and neither of us made any plans. So we decide to hang out together, but without the books this time. One day of hanging out, watching Netflix and pigging out on junk food turned into two, two days turned into three and the next thing I know we had spent every day of our broke Spring Break together. By the last day, we had made our relationship “official” and both said “I love you” to each other. Too fast, too soon? Not hardly! That love that we felt then never left, it only increased throughout the years!
Tell us your proposal story. For my 30th birthday trip to Paris, France we just wanted to wing-it for our first full day, so he asked me what I wanted to do. Of course, I say, “I want to go to the Eiffel Tower.” At this point, we’ve been together almost 8 years. I mean, I kind of had a feeling he was going to propose, I just didn’t know when, where or how. We arrive at the Eiffel Tower, hop out of our Uber and decide to take some impromptu selfies before we enter. He’s super techy, so he wanted to set up his iPhone on the timer and take pictures of us using his Apple Watch. Distracted in my selfies, I didn’t even notice that he pulled out his Bluetooth speaker and started playing John Legend’s “All of Me.” It was at that point I realized what was going on. The whole world stopped and I couldn’t hear or see anything but him. He said some extremely heartfelt and personal words, got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him. First thing I said was “Yes, I mean, Oui!”
Describe your engagement session. We’ve chosen to have a destination wedding, so why not have a travel theme? Justin travels for work while I work in travel sales, so naturally we wanted to tie in a travel themed shoot. We also met at our Alma Matter, so why not take it back to where it all began? We are proud Alumni of Texas Southern University in Houston, TX. We wanted to show off our sporty side, while the beautiful campus where we met offered a gorgeous backdrop. We’re also pretty stylish, so why not style it up a bit? We let our photographer choose the third location that would really make our outfits pop, and he delivered! All three themes speak volumes about our personalities and who we are as a couple.
What did you do on your first date? If you even want to call it a “date.” Justin’s friend was in town, so we went to a Hookah Bar and ate Halal food!
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple? We love anything travel, so we collect shot glasses from places we’ve traveled. Other than that we are in the market for a house, so we’ve been doing a bit of researching and dreaming of our future home.
How has wedding planning been so far? At this point, we’re barley scratching the surface. We’ve recently picked out a destination and sent out our Save-the Dates. As an Event Coordinator and Travel Specialist, this is right up my alley and (fingers crossed) I am choosing to plan the majority of my wedding without a wedding planner, but anticipate using one later on in the planning process. I want to be fully hands-on in making my day exactly how I want it. What’s the saying? “If you want something done right, you do it yourself!”
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day. Weddings are supposed to be a joyous time to unite two families together, however each of us will feel the missed presence of someone important in our lives. Both of our Fathers have passed away, so I would love to honor both of them while in the presence of our families and friends.
Vendors:
Photography: Kurtston Brinson
Makeup: Karmyn Ekunwe
Hair: La’Shay Bell
