Same Diamond, New Setting

As Rob mentioned in a previous post, he intentionally had the diamond placed in a simple setting so that I could pick a setting I liked.  Poor Rob had planned this out ahead of time, and had no idea that people would give me so much grief over “not liking” the ring, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. I repeatedly asked Rob, just to make sure, that going back to the jewelry store was his plan. If Rob hadn’t told me minutes after proposing that he wanted me to pick out a setting that suits me, I never would have gone to the jewelry store. Why would I have wanted to? The ring was gorgeous in a simple setting! It made me feel terrible that people kept assuming that I didn’t like the ring because it is my most prized possession. If I could only keep one item for the rest of my life, it would be the ring.

We did go to the jewelers. I wanted to go right away because the ring was too big.  Unfortunately, to resize the ring would have taken about a week. I opted to wait until I decided on the ring I wanted.

I looked for about an hour and a half before finding what I wanted. I was looking for a setting, kind of similar to the one Rob had picked, but a thinner band with small stones on it.  I didn’t want those small stones to be too shiny or big so as to distract from the center diamond—I think the jeweler was amused by me not wanting “too shiny diamonds”.  The jewelry store was then closed for two weeks, so we ended up going back a second time and picking out the final ring.  (It seems pretty standard in the jewelry industry to close for two weeks in July.  So, anyone who is thinking about making a major jewelry purchase around late June should take this into account.) 

I initially hesitated to say yes to the ring I wanted after getting a price. I’ve never purchased expensive jewelry before, and had no idea how much it costs.  Thankfully, I have an amazing fiancé who knows me well and took me aside to convince me that if that was the ring I wanted, that was the ring he wanted to get, we could afford it, I’d wear it forever, etc.

I loved the ring the moment I put it on. Since I picked it up from the jewelers, I am unable to go too long without glancing at it.



My new ring! Same diamond, new setting.



The sales person kept making a big deal about how Michael B (the ring designer) had such a beautiful box. This is the ring in the fancy box, which is really just shiny yellow as opposed to the standard black.



Side view--I love the detailing design along the center stone.

The Proposal

I thought Friday June 17, 2011 was going to be a typical day.  It was a furlough day for me, so I had the evening off work.  Rob had suggested the previous week that we karaoke this weekend.  I went over to his apartment after he was home from work.  We ordered in dinner and watched television. I wanted to watch the National Geographic show, Taboo. As we scrolled through the episode choices, we settled on the episode about marriage.  I don’t remember Rob pushing for this choice at all; in hindsight, it’s pretty amusing that I picked that episode when Rob was sitting next to me knowing he was intended on proposing later.

That night happened to be unseasonably chilly, at least I thought so, mostly thanks to the wind. As we walked to Midtown Tavern, I nearly asked Rob to borrow his coat, which had the ring in one of the pockets. I ended up not asking for it because I knew it had a little gun in the pocket (the area we were walking through to get to Midtown Tavern starts becoming a little sketchy) and I didn’t want to have the gun.  (Later, I asked Rob if he would have refused to give me his coat if I had asked.  He said he would have made up an excuse for me to cross the street first while he took off the coat, and at that time would have moved the ring from the jacket).   

Outside view of the place on the night where it all went down
(Photo: Courtesy of Grant Surrant)

We met Catherine at the bar—got our seats, beers, and the song book, just like normal.  Catherine sang first, then me, and then Rob. When Rob was singing, I started heading back to the table.  Catherine, who was recording Rob on her phone, told me to go back towards the front to watch. I didn’t think much of her recording his performance. He had recorded some of mine. I wasn’t sure why she insisted that I not return to the table though. So I went back upfront where I danced and sang along with the lyrics to the “Walls” by Tom Petty.  During the instrumental break in the song, Rob started talking into the microphone. I don’t remember what I was thinking then. I was probably confused. He said “Hey Melanie. I love more than anything else in this world. And having a musical break seems like a decent time to ask…Will you marry me?”  He pulled out the ring.

Rob on stage with the ring asking me to marry him
(Photo: Courtesy of Grant Surrant)

I was shocked. I nodded my head and said yes. From there, he came down from the stage and got down on one knee. He finished most of the song. I kept repeating “Oh my gosh!” I couldn’t believe that this was actually happening. It felt surreal, like a dream.



Down on one knee--My mouth is wide own with shock
(Photo: Courtesy of Grant Surrant)

Luckily for us, a photographer happened to be at the bar that evening taking pictures. He was kind enough to send us some of the pictures he captured. Grant Surrant--check him out. We got a few pictures together minutes after being engaged.

The ring is beautiful..I couldn't stop looking at it. Here's a closer picture..

My gorgeous engagment ring--He did a great job!

In case you want to my description and photos aren't enough, there is a video of it that Catherine recorded her phone. The original video was sent in 3 parts (the file was too big to send as one), however Rob worked some magic editing skills and produced this..
https://picasaweb.google.com/rjcurylo/RobAndMel?authkey=Gv1sRgCN-O5sS9_uGtNg&feat=email#5633072332348700450