JUSTIN & PARIS CELESTE: Building a Legacy of Love, Faith, and Boundless Horizons

Occasionally, a couple dares to reimagine what’s possible. Justin and Paris Celeste are that couple. As tech professionals and devoted parents, they’ve traded comfort zones for global impact—choosing a life of cultural exploration, spiritual alignment, and purpose. Their journey proves that faith-fueled decisions, built on their shared respect and unwavering vision, lead to a life rich in meaning.

In this candid interview with VBD Magazine, Justin and Paris share the joys and challenges of parenting abroad, launching a business from the ground up, and nurturing a resilient marriage—all while anchored in faith.

United In Vision

Their story begins with two paths—destined to cross.

Justin, born in Monterey, California, moved frequently as the son of a U.S. Army servicemember. From California’s coasts to the Philippines and Germany, his childhood was a global journey. Settling near Atlanta, Georgia, he discovered his calling in college while working in IT at Valdosta State University. “I knew even back then,” he reflects, “that tech was the future—and I wanted to be part of it.”

Paris, raised in Buffalo, New York, moved to Atlanta in high school—a shift that proved to be divine positioning. Fueled by a natural curiosity, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Georgia and a master’s in journalism and mass communications at the University of Georgia.

During graduate school, she discovered a new path. Working with software for academic research, she found herself captivated by the architecture of digital systems and the potential to create more human-centered experiences. “It sparked something in me,” she recalls. “I wanted to help build technology that was intuitive and worked seamlessly.”

Her transition from aspiring television producer and writer to tech strategist was driven by a desire and commitment to create technology that truly serves its users. After graduation, she landed her first job in tech and never looked back, eventually moving into product management and shaping how people experienced the technology she helped create. This shift not only defined her career; it also set the stage for a serendipitous encounter that would change her life.

That moment came while Paris was working at a firm in Midtown Atlanta. Justin asked her for help with a report, and she happily pitched in. A week later, he invited her out to say “thank you” for her help. “At first, I thought it was just a work outing with a coworker,” Paris laughs. “But then he asked what kind of food I liked, and that’s when I realized he was asking me out on a date.”

It was a date that neither of them would forget. Over shared tapas and hours of uninterrupted conversation, they found themselves closing the restaurant—unaware of the time, but deeply aware of the connection forming between them. “She had me laughing, thinking, and dreaming all in one night,” Justin remembers. “From that night on, we were inseparable.”

As their professional lives continued to thrive, their relationship blossomed. They began traveling the world together and deepening their faith as a couple, discovering new places and building a shared life rooted in mutual respect and unwavering belief in Yahweh. This laid the foundation for a future that would reach far beyond city limits or corporate ladders.