NMJ Lovers | Jolyn & Louis

For this chapter of NMJ Lovers we visit Jolyn and Louis, whose story stretches back much further than the moment they became engaged.

Having first met in middle school, their lives have unfolded side by side through many chapters. From shared friendships and college years, to reconnecting as roommates in Washington DC, and slowly evolving from best friends to business partners, and ultimately life partners.

Their journey together has always been rooted in friendship. As Jolyn shares, their guiding mantra has remained the same through every new role they’ve taken on together “we’re best friends first." It’s a foundation that has allowed their relationship to grow alongside them, evolving as their lives and ambitions have taken shape.

Because love is rarely defined by a single moment. It is built slowly through friendship, shared dreams, and the many versions of ourselves we grow to know along the way.

Their journey together has always been rooted in friendship. As Jolyn shares, their guiding mantra has remained the same through every new role they’ve taken on together “we’re best friends first." It’s a foundation that has allowed their relationship to grow alongside them, evolving as their lives and ambitions have taken shape.

Because love is rarely defined by a single moment. It is built slowly through friendship, shared dreams, and the many versions of ourselves we grow to know along the way.

 Let's go back to the beginning, how did you meet?

We actually met in middle school. Louis was a year ahead of me and we had a group of friends that intersected in high school. That friend group helped us keep in touch throughout our college days. Long story short, he went to culinary school after college and after I graduated from hospitality school, I moved to DC where we later reconnected as roommates! Eventually, we went from roommates to best friends to co-workers at the same restaurant to dating to business partners and then finally life partners. 


In what ways do you feel your relationship has changed or grown, and in what ways has it remained the same?

Ever since we were little, we’ve had a front row seat in each other’s life. We’ve gotten to know so many different versions of each other which pushed our relationship to change and evolve with us. 

Our mantra has always been “we’re best friends first”. That has remained the same in how we approach life with our ever-evolving “titles” and how we tackle problems. 


Jolyn, what was your reaction when you saw your engagement ring for the first time?

“Holy sh*t it’s SO pretty in person!”

 Let's go back to the beginning, how did you meet?

We actually met in middle school. Louis was a year ahead of me and we had a group of friends that intersected in high school. That friend group helped us keep in touch throughout our college days. Long story short, he went to culinary school after college and after I graduated from hospitality school, I moved to DC where we later reconnected as roommates! Eventually, we went from roommates to best friends to co-workers at the same restaurant to dating to business partners and then finally life partners. 


In what ways do you feel your relationship has changed or grown, and in what ways has it remained the same?

Ever since we were little, we’ve had a front row seat in each other’s life. We’ve gotten to know so many different versions of each other which pushed our relationship to change and evolve with us. 

Our mantra has always been “we’re best friends first”. That has remained the same in how we approach life with our ever-evolving “titles” and how we tackle problems. 


Jolyn, what was your reaction when you saw your engagement ring for the first time?

“Holy sh*t it’s SO pretty in person!”

Beyond the physical aesthetics, can you delve into the sentimental value your NMJ pieces hold for you? Are there particular moments or memories attached to them that stand out? 

Louis proposed in the middle of what was to be our future restaurant. We were in the middle of construction and they had just completed the demolition phase and so much of the space was cleared out. Accepting the ring in the middle of our future restaurant marked the perfect start to the next phase in our lives (both in business and in our relationship)!

We also chose a sapphire because it’s Louis’ birthstone and I didn’t want a diamond to be the main stone on my engagement ring. 


What is something that has surprised you about marriage – perhaps a misconception proven wrong, or an assumption proven right?

We’ve been together for almost 10 years (married for over 1 year) and I thought that I would be one of those people who wouldn’t feel the difference after getting married, but I did. It felt different calling Louis my husband and it felt different getting to wear our rings. Even though I already felt sure and secure in our relationship, something about making it officially made it feel even more so. 

Beyond the physical aesthetics, can you delve into the sentimental value your NMJ pieces hold for you? Are there particular moments or memories attached to them that stand out? 

Louis proposed in the middle of what was to be our future restaurant. We were in the middle of construction and they had just completed the demolition phase and so much of the space was cleared out. Accepting the ring in the middle of our future restaurant marked the perfect start to the next phase in our lives (both in business and in our relationship)!

We also chose a sapphire because it’s Louis’ birthstone and I didn’t want a diamond to be the main stone on my engagement ring. 


What is something that has surprised you about marriage – perhaps a misconception proven wrong, or an assumption proven right?

We’ve been together for almost 10 years (married for over 1 year) and I thought that I would be one of those people who wouldn’t feel the difference after getting married, but I did. It felt different calling Louis my husband and it felt different getting to wear our rings. Even though I already felt sure and secure in our relationship, something about making it officially made it feel even more so. 

“Our mantra has always been we’re best friends first. That’s how we’ve approached every chapter of our lives together.”

What is one of your favourite moments from your special day?

I loved reading our vows to each other, in private, the morning of our wedding. We got coffee, went to our neighborhood park, sat on a park bench, and read them to each other. We knew the ceremony would feel overwhelming if that was the first time we heard it and we wanted to take it all in beforehand. 

We also held our reception at our restaurant and our team ran the show for us. They cooked the food, made and poured the drinks, and hosted all of our friends and family. It felt very full circle to be celebrating our marriage where we also got engaged. 

What is one of your favourite moments from your special day?

I loved reading our vows to each other, in private, the morning of our wedding. We got coffee, went to our neighborhood park, sat on a park bench, and read them to each other. We knew the ceremony would feel overwhelming if that was the first time we heard it and we wanted to take it all in beforehand. 

We also held our reception at our restaurant and our team ran the show for us. They cooked the food, made and poured the drinks, and hosted all of our friends and family. It felt very full circle to be celebrating our marriage where we also got engaged. 

Proposal Photos - Leilani Banayat

Wedding Photos - Lukas Korynta

Proposal Photos - Leilani Banayat

Wedding Photos - Lukas Korynta