As a reporter for Channel 3 in Chattanooga, Claudia received an assignment to cover a court hearing in the Adam Braseel case. She had to learn years of history related to the case in the hour drive it took to get to the Grundy County Courthouse. She walked into the courtroom, not knowing what to expect. The court officer said, "all rise", and the judge walked out. Claudia certainly did not expect the judge to be young and handsome because she had the preconceived notion that all judges must be old (think My Cousin Vinny), but then Judge Justin Angel walked out. But Justin didn't just catch Claudia's eye; Justin spotted "the beautiful blonde reporter" across the courtroom. During a break, Justin did some digging on Twitter and followed Claudia Coco, who had been live-tweeting the proceedings that morning. That day Justin released Adam Braseel from prison, a man who wrongfully served 12 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. The following Monday, Claudia needed a story, and she pitched interviewing the judge in the Adam Braseel case. Justin's favorite part of this story is that Claudia "slid into his DM's" to reach out for an interview. That afternoon the first time we met is memorialized on TV. The link is posted above if you want to see the story that started it all.

After two amazing years together, Justin knew it was time for the next big step! He began planning with Claudia's mom Jill on how to collaborate for the perfect proposal for Claudia. Justin knew the ring Claudia wanted (from many subtle hints) and made the purchase. The ring sat in a lighted case in his gun safe for three months while the surprise neared. The couple took a vacation with the Coco Family to Beaver Creek, Colorado. This trip is a family tradition for Claudia, and she refers to the resort as her happy place. Claudia's family had Christmas dinner at Splendido for many years, and the restaurant holds a special place in Claudia's heart. This is where Justin would pop the question (in front of her entire family)! Jill hired a photographer for the moment under the guise of a family photo shoot. On a beautiful lighted stone bridge outside, Justin took a knee and asked Claudia to make him the luckiest man alive... she said yes!