Shea and Joss have got to be one of the sweetest couples I’ve had the pleasure to design a custom engagement ring for. They’ve agreed to be my first feature for a new series focused on the stories behind the custom jewelry pieces I’ve made.
They’re here to share their engagement story.
ANDREA: So first off, I want to share the story… you know the one, the FAKE proposal story.
SHEA: Yeaaahhhh. We were on a trip visiting family and somehow I thought it would be really funny to jokingly propose with a giant inflatable ring. Booze may have been involved.
JOSS: So he grabs this thing and he gets down on one knee and proposes that we “go on a float down the river”. I’m playing along when someone snaps a photo to post to Instagram. I knew he was joking, everyone there knew he was joking, but once people saw the photo online, the congratulations started rolling in.
SHEA: Turns out, after dating for 10 years, a fake proposal isn’t funny.
ANDREA: So you kind of had to do it really right after that one. No inflatables of any kind.
SHEA: Right.
ANDREA: I have to say I was so excited to get the message that we were designing a custom engagement ring for Joss. I had so many ideas! But the situation was a bit bizarre because you had to be extra sneaky about it in case her radar was still up. We couldn’t even find a time for a video chat so I had to record myself talking about the designs and send that over.
SHEA: Those videos were awesome. You explained each design and how it suited her personality – the different options were killer! It was great having the videos to watch again as I decided too.
ANDREA: I was super happy that you chose the sapphire design. It really was my favourite. Joss, what did you think of Shea’s choice?
JOSS: I was shocked at how unique and beautiful it was! I never pointed out engagement rings to him so I was very surprised and excited when I saw it. The different tones of the sapphires really blew me away and it made it even more special that he got it custom made for me.
ANDREA: How does it feel now that you’ve been wearing it for a while?
JOSS: I think it suits me really well. It’s simple, unique, designed by a local maker / good friend, and the design is so nice! I love its asymmetrical shape and the sapphires. I work with stained glass and you can really see some influence of that style in the design too.
I also really appreciate the thickness of the band. I use my hands a lot and have bent many rings over the years but this one is built so strong! I don’t think that it will ever bend.
ANDREA: Made to last, just like you two (sappy moment).
Shea, I’m going to circle back to you. Any comments about the custom design process?
SHEA: It was actually very smooth and easy. The design was exactly what I asked for and you really went above and beyond with the sneakiness to get her ring size too.
ANDREA: Yes that was an adventure. I didn’t think the ruse was very elaborate — telling her that I’m user testing my ring sizing chart — I figured for sure she’d be on to us. Joss, did you suspect anything?
JOSS: No, it was a total surprise!
ANDREA: That’s so great! So… after hearing the fake proposal story, I think we all want to hear the real one!
JOSS: It was a very memorable day for me because it was my 29th birthday, we were leaving for Tokyo the next day (there was a hurricane happening there at the time), and we also had a massive October snowstorm in Winnipeg. All the trees still had leaves on them and we got a lot of really wet heavy snow that came down and all the trees were breaking because of the weight. There were massive tree branches everywhere!
ANDREA: With so much going on it’s no wonder you weren’t thinking about anything else.
JOSS: Exactly! That evening after we just hid from the storm and ate dinner at our home together, he got down on one knee and asked. I was not expecting it at all! He got me to close my eyes and I was expecting some kind of joke birthday gift because he’s a really funny man.
ANDREA: Yes he has a history of joking around a little.
JOSS: Part of his charm! But it was real this time.
SHEA: Yep. I think she’s the one!
ANDREA: Oh geeze. Okay you two, anything else to add?
JOSS: Just that I get tons of compliments on my ring! It gives me an excuse to brag about how great my fiancé is and how talented my friend is who designed it!
ANDREA: Awww, thanks!
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