3 Couples Who Are Helping Us Reimagine the Modern-Day Love Story
By Michelle Guerrere
When you find that person who can finish your sentences, pick you up (even on your worst days), and who loves you for exactly who you are, there’s no doubt you’ve found “The One.” In real life romance, you’re both writing the chapters of your story as you go, breaking from tradition and boundaries on your journey.One major step in your modern-day love story is engagement — a promise to each other that’s eternalized by the diamond ring. Because no one celebrates each couple’s unique path more than the diamond experts at Forevermark, we’re partnering with them to highlight three real-life couples who are writing their love stories on their own terms. With each couple’s relationship in mind, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite Forevermark engagement rings, from Art Deco to cushion cut, that are just as one-of-a-kind as each of their stories.
THE MEET-CUTE
“We met on a plane from New York to Berlin, where we were both attending tech conferences. After three whirlwind days hanging out between sessions, Tom promised he’d come to New York and keep the fling going stateside. I didn’t believe him, but true to his word, he took the train from Boston to see me after a business trip two weeks later. We flew coast-to-coast each month for two years. When Tom finally realized he couldn’t be apart from me anymore, he quit his startup in Portland and moved to New York City to be with me.” —Zahra
WHY IT WORKS
“We both love to travel and experience new things. We place an emphasis on family time on the weekends. And even though we’re both very independent with huge personalities, we somehow don’t let our big personalities clash or overshadow each other!” —Tom
THE ENGAGEMENT
“One of the first things I said to Tom when we were first started dating was how romantic Monaco was and how badly I wanted to see it for myself. Two years into our relationship — and a week after he had moved to New York — we went on a vacation to Barcelona and the south of France. Much to my surprise, he had planned the perfect ending in Monaco by proposing to me at the Prince’s palace, including planting a photographer in the crowd of tourists to capture the moment!”—Z.
FINDING THEIR FOREVER
“Since the second I met Tom, the thing that melts my heart is that he has made learning about my Persian culture and language his number one priority. He not only loves me, but he also loves my family. We just bought a condo, so furnishing it and figuring out our couple style is the number one goal, and maybe we’ll buy a painting or two along the way. And there are a lot of countries still unseen by both of us, and we’d like to get to them all!” —Z.
THE RING STYLE
THE MEET-CUTE
“I was hosting a concert series in LA at the Santa Monica Pier, and Rachel was in the audience and saw me (she was with some friends of mine and they texted me saying she thought I was pretty and funny). We went out on a first date a few days later, saw a rat scurry across the floor at the bar, and ran out laughing only to talk into the early morning in her car, safe from the rats! I said all the wrong things that night, but she didn't care. We’ve been together ever since, and that was five years ago!” —Liz
WHY IT WORKS
“We have the same morals and values and enjoy spending a lot of time together, no matter what we’re doing. I feel grateful that I found someone that is on my side as I go through life and whatever it brings.” —Rachel
THE ENGAGEMENT
“I surprised Rachel with a trip to Thailand on Christmas that I ‘sold’ as a trip for her birthday. I spent months planning the places we would visit and how I would do it, but during the trip, I got so nervous and kept chickening out. By the time I did it, I sort of botched the whole proposal. I fumbled and started crying and Rachel was completely confused but I seemed to figure it out and obviously it all worked out! The trip was so amazing, and when we got back we were able to share that we were engaged with family and friends.” — L.
FINDING THEIR FOREVER
“Honestly, I just feel really grateful that I found a true partner in life. I can’t wait to travel more, build our lives, and maybe even one day start a family.” — L.
THE RING STYLE
THE MEET-CUTE
“We met a few times, but the time we actually ‘count’ is when a mutual friend introduced us at a club in New York City a year or so after I moved there post-college. Funny enough, when we had first met, Cary was traveling to visit his brother abroad in Australia. It so happens that at that time, his brother was in the same study abroad program as my sister and they were friends. So, as Cary was telling his brother about this new girl he had met, my sister was listening to the story at the same time. Once he showed them the picture of me, she couldn't believe it and blurted out that I was her sister!” —Alissa
WHY IT WORKS
“We have basically grown up together since in our 20s, so we’ve shared memories and have gotten to experience all of our major life events as a couple. Cary and I have been on very much the same life page and made our decisions together. Plus, we’re both very fun-loving people — I could never be with someone who took life too seriously. He and I are on the same wavelength… we always say we share the same brain!” —A.
THE ENGAGEMENT
“Cary wanted to take me out to celebrate a big win at work. He casually mentioned for me to dress nicely for the office, but I was too tired — or maybe lazy! — to do my hair or pick out a major outfit. That night at drinks, I was going on and on about my miserable day before he convinced me to go back to the apartment to change before dinner. As we were walking past our favorite mural on our block, he slowly got down on one knee and started the proposal. I was so caught off guard that I stood there with my mouth open not even blinking, repeating "What is happening?" over and over. Even the cars passing were yelling, "Say yes! Say yes!" I finally realized that this was my proposal and said yes! When we walked into our apartment courtyard, I was surprised by all of my family and friends for a pop-up proposal/engagement party.” —A.
FINDING THEIR FOREVER
“Alissa is a better wife and mom than I ever could have imagined… she’s electric and lights up any room she walks into because of her contagious, positive energy. Our next step is to continue to build our family and see the success that comes from everything we’ve built in our lives. We can’t wait to watch our daughter grow into the smart, confident, empowered woman we’re grooming her to be — with a silly side and love of laughter just like her parents.”—Cary
THE RING STYLE
This post is sponsored by Forevermark.
