Julie and Justin's story began in 2021, amidst the virtual backdrop of an American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) meeting. Justin, serving as the younger member chair, organized a virtual event connecting the Corpus Christi branch with the Kingsville Student Chapter. Julie, then a student member on the cusp of graduation, was at her friend Sydney's house for the meeting, playing with Sydney’s dog, Turnip, in view of the camera.

Justin noticed the playful interaction and, intrigued, sent Julie a message asking if she was playing with the dog. Their conversation sparked, and Justin, seized by the moment, asked her out. Their first date was at Big House BBQ in Kingsville, Texas, where they shared laughter and stories, laying the foundation for what would become a deep and enduring relationship.

As their romance blossomed, Justin was soon sent to New York for offshore drilling, leaving Julie in kingsville to finish her Bachelor's Degree. This time apart helped them come to the conclusion they didn't want to be separated again. So when Justin returned to Corpus Christi they decided to move into the house Justin was renting together.

In December 2022, their love found a new home when they bought a house together and welcomed a new dog, Sweet Baby Ranger, into their lives. A year later, on the anniversary of that milestone, Justin proposed, marking the beginning of their next chapter together with a promise of forever.

Meet Justin Michael Buchen, a proud product of Los Fresnos, Texas, who took his talents to Texas A&M University at Kingsville, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Mathematics in 2019. You'll find him living his best life at the beach, tending to a bonfire or BBQ, probably dreaming up new ways to make his grilling more epic.

Justin is a master of the outdoors, hunting or fishing you name it he knows how to do it or look up a YouTube video on it. If he's not found in nature or playing Xbox, he's either fixing something or breaking something but either way it's a new project on his sleeve.

On paper, Julie-Ann Michelle Adams May might seem like a hometown girl with her birth certificate and degree both stamped Kingsville, Texas. But don't be fooled! Thanks to her dad's army career, she's a world traveler at heart. Her childhood was a whirlwind tour from Germany to Kansas. She kicked off her college adventure in El Paso to keep close to family, but eventually returned to her roots at Texas A&M University at Kingsville, where she snagged a Bachelor’s in 2021 and a partner in all things in Justin Buchen.

Julie’s got a zest for life that’s hard to match. She's all about exploring new destinations, trying the latest food fads, and soaking up the sun at the beach. Whether she's listening to Taylor Swift like it’s nobody’s business, cozying up by a fire, or whipping up culinary magic in the kitchen, she's living her best life. When she’s not off on an adventure or stirring up something tasty, you’ll find her binge-watching favorite shows, losing herself in an audiobook, or snuggling with her dog, Ranger or playfully teasing Justin because someone has to do it she would say.