As I know you’ve seen all over my Instagram, I am ENGAGED! My Fiancé (still sounds so weird!) and I have been dating for a little over 4 years. Y’all have seen him on here every now and then. I’ve gotten a few messages asking how it happened, if I knew it was coming, and of course, the details on my ring! So, without further delay…. HERE IT ALL IS!
Andrew now lives in Birmingham, Alabama….a 10 hour drive from Dallas! He moved there the beginning of September, so we have been getting to experience the joys of Long Distance for a few months now. To be completely transparent, long distance has been good for us. If anything, it has reassured me that he is the guy for me! It has tested us in new ways, forced me to trust him even more, and we both have been able to work on ourselves.
He told me that he would be coming home for Christmas. He would come home December 22nd (Saturday) and then go back to Birmingham 5 days later. I had been telling him how much I missed having Christmas Parties. When I was younger, my family and I would travel to California (where we are all from) and my grandparents would host this amazing Christmas Party. Over 50 people would be there, we would have a seated dinner and indulge in all the Christmas goodies. We haven’t done that in a few years now, so every Christmas something feels missing.
My boyfriend and his family wanted to host a Christmas Party (or so I thought) the Saturday before Christmas. Andrew invited some of his friends and practically his entire family came out! I remember thinking it was interesting how he was inviting some of his friends…I had just wanted to keep it family, but then I decided that it’s more fun with more people and quickly got on board.
When we arrived to the party, Andrew BARELY talked to me. I was a little upset but figured he was just trying to play host and entertain his friends. Luckily, my sister was there with me so I had some company..ha! I think he gave me a hug and maybe said 2 words to be before retreating back to his friends. I brushed it aside and thought nothing of it besides him being a “good host”.
The whole night, I felt lots of people looking at me…and got super self-conscious. I thought maybe I had food in my teeth? Was my hair sticking up? OH GOSH was my self-tanner messed up behind my knees? Or maybe they were entranced with my twin? I excused myself to go check in the bathroom. Nothing was wrong (so I thought). Weird…I went back to my standing station feeling awkward.
Andrew came back over and then randomly asked me to go outside with him. I knew what was outside; a hot chocolate bar that my sister and I helped make! I couldn’t see a reason why he would want to go outside… in the cold…..and I wasn’t ready for hot chocolate. I kept saying no and how I didn’t want to be cold but he kept persisting that it will be quick and just wants to “show me something” outside. Again…. I *thought* I knew what was outside…but I reluctantly let him lead me outside. If anything, he is finally talking to me…
Once outside, he walked me over to the Hot Chocolate table. I was like SERIOUSLY I know this is here…..I set it up! He reached under the table and pulled out this medium sized box wrapped in gold wrapping paper and led me to the fire pit to open this gift. AGAIN, I felt shaded because we had talked earlier that week saying NO GIFTS at the party; we were saving our gifts for the day after. Naturally, I didn’t bring my gift for him…HOW could he forget that we were doing gifts tomorrow and not tonight?!
After lots of hesitation, I finally gave in and started opening the gift. The box didn’t look like my favorite Steve Madden heels could fit in it…and that’s the only thing we really talked about. Once I opened the box, I found a SMALLER box inside.
I opened that box and found an ornament. When I pulled it out, the back was facing me and it looked like a white, open shell. I thought…Ariel? That’s sweet but not my favorite Disney Princess. Are we going to the beach?
Slowly, the ornament spun around and the “shell” was actually an open box with a diamond inside. OH GOSH. Simultaneously, Andrew got down on one knee and said some cute stuff that I forgot. Then, he asked me to be his wife.
And then fireworks went off.
Surprised? YES. In a state of shock? Definitely.
Just when I thought this was the cutest, most thoughtful thing ever, we went back inside and the “Christmas” party turned into our engagement party. EVERYONE knew it was happening…even my parents!
THE RING
Now, what you all are waiting for and came here to read about; MY RING! Andrew and I have been talking about rings for…years. NEVER anything concrete though until the end of July. I had been obsessing over this ring company I found on Instagram (The True Gem) for a while now. I knew I didn’t want a diamond…for reasons that are very unpopular…. so I had been researching this gemstone called Moissanite. Moissanite is NOT a diamond. It is not trying to be a diamond. It is a gemstone. Just like a ruby, sapphire, emerald…you get the point.
The reason I really wanted a Moissanite is because of the properties. The stone itself is clear, but when it is in the sun it actually reflects rainbow lights. HELLO OBSESSED. It has more “brilliance” than a diamond, which really made me fall in love with them. To read more about Moissanite and The True Gem, click here. I found out about Moissanite my junior year of college and have been in love ever since.
When Andrew and I went ring shopping in July, I thought nothing of it. I knew that we both wanted to get married, but I thought it was so far away. I also knew that he would be moving 10 hours away, so if we wanted to go look at rings in person, now would be the time. The True Gem is located in Dallas, TX, so it couldn’t be more perfect (they ship internationally!!).
Andrew made an appointment to visit and try on rings. I was SO nervous. I didn’t want to. First of all, I was worried that the ring store I had idolized for over a year wouldn’t live up to my high expectations. What if I went this whole time thinking I wanted a certain style of ring and a different stone that a diamond, just to be disappointed?! Secondly, I didn’t want to get my hopes up, trying on rings, only to know that we wouldn’t get engaged for another year or more… It seemed like insanity.
When we got to our appointment, I was shaking so much! HAHA! We went up to the floor and were greeted so warmly by the staff. We were able to see where they make all the rings (everything is hand crafted in Dallas!) and then went to the lobby/offices. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. Definitely exceeded my expectations! We were able to try on all kinds of rings, even though I knew I wanted a solitaire.
The ring I loved the most was the Jennie Solitaire. It fits a round stone and has 6 prongs instead of 4. I also knew that I wanted rose gold. Rose gold is just ME.
Jennie Ring… I think this was a 9mm!
Solitaire 8.5
Solitaire 8mm
Solitaire 8mm with band
Talking about customizing a ring..also shout out to my long hair
Andrew is amazing and actually customized the entire ring. It is a two-tone setting, meaning the prongs are white gold while the band is rose gold. Because it is placed in a white gold setting, the stone looks even more brilliant and clear. Andrew also knew that I have always loved the idea of a scarf wrapping around the stone. A scarf is when looking at the ring, it looks like a regular solitaire. BUT, when you look at the ring from the side, there is a wrap of diamonds around the stone. It just adds a little extra and makes the ring super special. I definitely was NOT expecting Andrew to add that to the ring…which makes me love it (and him) even more.
I couldn’t be more obsessed with my ring. I STARE AT IT ALL THE TIME. It is so special, unique, and fits my style perfectly. I also love how it has a story.
For those asking about sizes; my ring finger is a size 4. The stone itself is an 8.5mm (equivalent to about 2.5 carats).
