A Somewhat Royal Engagement for a Royal Fan
Not long after Prince William and Kate Middleton (or Miss Catherine Middleton as I should officially state) got engaged, I wrote a blog about how this royal wedding has sparked sapphire loving around the world. I would never have guessed, however, that on December 10, 2010 my boyfriend would pop the question. And, he did it in style of course, with an antique sapphire and diamond ring.
Now, royal engagement aside, Kris (my now fiancé, although he doesn’t like being called “fiancé”) and I had talked marriage in the past.We have been dating seven years and live together. So heading down this road wasn’t a surprise, nor was the ring necessarily. A year before Wills and Kate got engaged I had said in wedding-talk to Kris that I would love a sapphire wrapped in diamonds. I had said I loved this gemstone, and being a royal fan, had also noted how royals in history have tended to receive gemstone engagement rings and I liked this less traditional idea. I never would have predicted the recent royal engagement, nor that sapphire engagement rings would become a somewhat phenomenon as a result. I will admit, however, the royal engagement only added to the bliss of it all, making me feel like I indeed found my prince!
A week before Kris popped the question he agreed to accompany me to this antique store I was hoping to check out called Cynthia Findlay Antiques. I realized after it’s quite the popular store. When I walked in, I noticed a framed picture of Slice’s own Jane Dayus-Hinch from a visit she made to the store. We sauntered over to the glass case that was just for sapphires and I immediately asked to try on my now engagement ring - an English ring from the 1920s. (Some people are afraid of estate or consignment jewelry, but not me. I see a beauty in bringing a new life into a ring that’s maybe lived through one or two lifetimes.) My first comments were, “Wow, it’s too big. I love it, but it’s too big for me to wear every day.” That’s when Kris said, “why can’t you wear it?” I should have clued in then that he was taken aback with it as well. We left the store about forty minutes later, me with a smile on my face and Kris with their card in hand.
That visit was on a Sunday. The following Friday, I came home after work just like any ordinary day and noticed our condo was freshly cleaned, the lights dim, and music playing. Eventually I made my way into the living room only to find champagne chilling on the dining room table with two flutes, and a candle lit. I knew then right away what was happening. And I kept saying “No, no no no…” in surprise! When he opened the box, and there was my 1920s sapphire engagement ring, my stomach flipped in excitement! I started sweating and pulling my turtleneck over my head (not the most attractive state, I admit). The rest is history. We may not be royals, but on that day I felt like a princess.
Now we’re onto the planning stage; making a guest list, finding a venue, setting a date, etc. And as much as I'd love to think I can plan away like I'm Kate Middleton, that's just unrealistic. I’m quickly finding out how much work goes into a wedding! It's not so glamorous as one might assume from what they see in TV or in the movies. So my next couple of wedding related blogs may be advice related as I forge ahead into this new phase of life.
Stay tuned!
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