The Real Deal

While this blog started as a school project, it took an interesting turn a few weeks ago when my boyfriend Nick finally popped the question on a beautiful beach in St. Simons Island, GA. I've spent my life thinking about weddings, and it's finally my turn to have one! I was so shocked - Nick had done way too good of a job convincing me in the weeks before the proposal that such a thing was certainly not anything he was thinking of in the short-term. And I'm normally so hard to surprise!

How He Did It
We had planned a trip to St. Simons Island for our 7th anniversary to look at a resort as a potential venue for our "wedding." (Huh? But I thought you were telling your engagement story!)

I guess I should back up a little. I had won free tickets to the Georgia Bridal Show a year previously, and, on a lark, we decided to go (free cake samples anyone?). I put on a fake engagement ring I had since I was little, and we spent the afternoon pretending to be a happy couple-to-be. As a result, I have since been put on a variety of mailing lists. One of these contacts sent me an invitation for a free night in their resort to take a quick tour and consider it for my "wedding." Score! I pulled out my trusty fake diamond, and we were good to go. However, my little cubic zirconia had gotten Nick's wheels turning.

On the morning of the trip, he woke up early to make my favorite fried egg sandwiches and pack a picnic for the beach before our appointment. I almost ruined everything by my perpetual lateness (maybe we should just do the beach after), but he pushed and got me on the road. When we got to St. Simons, I was struck by how beautiful and unique their beaches were. Sand bars had formed little islets surrounded by shallow tidal pools, and the effect was serene and felt very private.

We set up a little picnic with strawberries and cheese and crackers, and Nick cracked open a bottle of my favorite champagne (no, not Andre). As we sat enjoying the perfect weather, I wondered what Nick was so worried about. I soon found out. He asked if he could see my fake ring again. I showed him my hand, and he said, "no that won't do." I laughed and said I'd try to just keep my hand down, but he told me I deserved something much better.

That's when he pulled out a little treasure box. I couldn't even believe it was happening. In fact, my first reaction was "are you serious??" He was. I said yes, and we hugged and cried for a minute. But wait, we still had to get to our appointment. Only this time it was for real!

The Ring
Now the ring. It's gorgeous...breathtaking, really. I've never seen anything quite like it. He got it from our favorite local antique store in Savannah: 37th@Abercorn. The ring itself is an Art Deco delight with an oval cut sapphire set on its side surrounded by a platinum setting, a ring of smaller sapphires wrapping the center stone, and 40 pavé diamonds that continue down the band. It finishes with feather-inspired white gold filigree on the shank, and I love the teardrop details on the decorative gallery.

Well, maybe it would easier to just show you!