Hollywood love stories usually follow a pretty predictable script. Two actors meet on a set, there's some chemistry over craft services, and then the tabloids take over. But honestly? Janel Parrish and Chris Long didn't do any of that.
While Parrish was busy playing the iconic, scheming Mona Vanderwaal on Pretty Little Liars, she wasn't looking for a fellow A-lister. She ended up finding a chemical engineer. Yeah, you read that right. A guy whose day job is about as far from the glitz of a TV set as it gets.
The Dave & Buster’s "Meet-Cute"
If you’re expecting a story about a high-end gala or an exclusive industry party, you’re going to be disappointed. Basically, they met at a Dave & Buster's in September 2016. It is such a normal, un-Hollywood way to meet someone.
There’s something kinda refreshing about it. Most people assume stars inhabit this different plane of existence, but Parrish has been vocal about the fact that they just clicked in a totally mundane environment. They dated for about a year before things got really serious.
By October 2017, Chris was ready to pull the trigger. He didn't do a massive public stunt or a televised proposal. Instead, while Janel was in Toronto for a stage production of Grease (she was playing Sandy), they went for a walk in a park with their dog, Klee.
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"Went to the park for a stroll with Klee and came back with a fiancé," Janel shared on Instagram at the time.
It was simple. It was real. And honestly, it set the tone for their entire relationship.
Tragedy Before the "I Dos"
You’ve probably seen the gorgeous photos of their Hawaiian wedding. The lush greenery of Kualoa Ranch (the same place they filmed Jurassic Park), the stunning Inbal Dror gown, the tropical flowers. It looked like a total dream.
But behind those smiles was a massive amount of private pain. Just two weeks before the ceremony in September 2018, tragedy struck the Long family. Chris’s father, Herbert "Buck" Long, was killed by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle.
It’s the kind of thing that could break a couple or force a postponement. Instead, they leaned into each other. Janel has since used her platform to talk about MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and honor Buck’s memory. The wedding went on, but it was bittersweet. Chris's brother ended up officiating the ceremony, which added a layer of family intimacy that you just don't see at every celebrity wedding.
Why Chris Long Isn't Your Typical "Instagram Husband"
A lot of people wonder how a chemical engineer handles being married to a woman who is constantly in the spotlight, whether it's To All the Boys I've Loved Before or her endless stream of Hallmark movies.
Here is the thing about Chris: he isn't trying to be famous.
He’s 40 now (having celebrated that milestone in early 2025), and he seems perfectly content staying in the background. While he pops up in Janel’s "photo dumps" and they share sweet anniversary posts—they just hit their seventh anniversary in late 2025—he doesn't have that "influencer" vibe.
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- Career: Chemical Engineer (High-stakes, technical work).
- Hobbies: He actually has a theater background! Janel once shared a video of him in a production of The Wizard of Oz.
- Dynamic: They seem to thrive on the "opposites attract" energy.
The couple has remained relatively private about their day-to-day life. You won't find them selling their private drama to the highest bidder. In a world where every "B-list" breakup is a multi-part TikTok series, their stability is actually the most shocking thing about them.
Life in 2026: Still Going Strong
As we head through 2026, Janel Parrish and Chris Long are often cited as one of the "success stories" of the Freeform/Hallmark era. People always ask if they have kids yet. As of right now, they haven't made any public announcements about expanding the family beyond their beloved dogs.
They seem focused on their careers and their travel. Janel is constantly filming on location, and Chris appears to be the steady anchor that allows her to do that.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to follow their journey or support the causes they care about, here’s how to do it authentically:
- Follow the Real Accounts: Don't get sucked into fan-page drama. Janel is active on Instagram, but she draws a clear line between her work and her marriage.
- Support MADD: Since the loss of Chris's father, the family has been supporters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. If you want to honor the family, that's the place to look.
- Watch the Work: Janel's career has evolved from the "mean girl" Mona to the "sisterly" Margot in To All the Boys, and now into a Hallmark staple. Seeing her growth as an actress often mirrors the stability she’s found in her personal life.
The biggest takeaway from the Janel Parrish Chris Long story isn't the wedding dress or the TV credits. It’s that even in the middle of Hollywood's chaos, you can find someone who does math for a living, meets you at a Dave & Buster's, and stands by you through the worst possible loss. It’s not a movie script; it’s just a really good marriage.