Imagine meeting your soulmate amid a mini-crisis; no WiFi and no coffee! Most of us would be off our game in that situation. But it was meant to be. Courtney had just moved into her new apartment complex but had to settle for working in the clubhouse since her WiFi was not yet connected. Ian, a tenant at the same complex, had stopped by the clubhouse to grab a quick cup of coffee. When he realized it was broken, he started tinkering with it just as Courtney was heading towards him. “You’ll be my hero if you can get the darn thing working,” she recalls telling Ian. The two ended up talking for quite some time. Ian even ran to the local coffee shop downstairs so they could continue chatting and working together in the clubhouse. And so, it began. On November 26, 2019, Ian and Courtney were engaged! Let’s hear their story….
What was your favorite thing about each other?
Courtney: One of my favorite things about Ian is his character. He always wants to do what is right. He is honest, responsible, and deeply cares about the people in his life. That was evident from the day we met, and the more I got to know him, the more obvious it was.
Ian: I have many favorite things about Courtney, but what initially caught my attention was her outgoing personality and hint of southern charm. She has light brown and green eyes, which made it easy to engage in great conversation from day one. Once we got to know each other, I learned that she is deeply smart, driven, and we found the same things interesting and fun.
What are your favorite things to do together?
We love to travel together and explore new cities. One of our favorite places to go is Asheville to hike, drink red wine, eat chocolate truffles, and jump on hotel beds together.
How did you know that the other was the one?
Courtney: After we met at the coffee machine, we did not initially start dating. We got to know each other as friends. I remember even then thinking, “this guy is too good to be true.” There had to be a catch. After we started dating, I realized there was no catch, and he was as great as his first impression, I knew he could be the one.
Ian: I knew from day one that if she remained the same person I met in front of that broken coffee machine, I could spend the rest of my life with her.
Were you surprised when he proposed/ did you know it was coming?
Courtney: Ian gifted me a trip to Asheville for two nights at the Grove Park Inn for my birthday. As we were arriving, I thought this would be a great opportunity for a proposal. It’s romantic, picturesque, and right before the holidays, but I quickly dismissed the idea. Ian had just started a new job and had a lot going on. We had recently made some big purchases, and I really didn’t think it was a possibility. Plus, we were celebrating my birthday. Needless to say, I was very surprised.
How did you decide on an engagement ring?
Ian: Her family wanted to pass along an heirloom diamond that had been in the family for over 100 years. So, I knew I had the perfect diamond, but still needed the perfect setting. I knew the general style of ring Courtney loved, but I wanted to make sure it was unique to her. I decided to work with a jeweler to help design a custom ring. Since I was getting the diamond from her family, I had to go all out on the setting. I was excited to design the perfect ring for her, and Claire at Fink’s Jewelers made it a breeze. Claire helped me design the perfect ring without trying to sway me one way or the other. She just wanted to make sure I was getting exactly what I pictured in my head!
What do you love about your engagement ring?
Courtney: I love the history of the diamond. It was my great-great-grandmother’s engagement diamond, and has been in our family for over 100 years. I also love how Ian and Claire worked to modernize the setting while still giving it a vintage feel.
Courtney said “YES!” to a custom-designed engagement ring using a heirloom diamond that had been in the family for over 100 years!
What does love mean to you?
Courtney: My favorite definition of love is 1 Corinthians 13:4-13. Ian embodies all of those traits. He is patient, kind… he is not self-seeking, envious, or boastful. Love is putting each other first.
Ian: To me, love means finding the person you can’t live life without. Someone who makes you want to better yourself so you can make a better life for the other person, finding someone who you always want to put first, and someone that makes the happy times in life memorable and the tough times not so hard. Love is finding the person that you know will get you through anything, and Courtney does this for me every day.
What made you choose Fink’s Jewelers?
Fink’s had a great reputation, and from the moment I walked in the store, I was greeted and helped immediately. After talking with Claire for a few minutes, I knew I was not buying the ring anywhere else. I loved being a part of every step of the design even down to the CAD drawings right before fabrication. I also live across the street from Fink’s, so the convenience of bringing the ring in for cleaning was a major plus.
What was your favorite part of the ring shopping experience?
Getting to be such an integral part of the design of the ring. I also really appreciated not being pushed to buy one thing over the other or choose a specific design.
If you’re thinking of a custom design for her engagement ring, we’re here to help guide you through the process. We want to help you be involved in the experience as much as Ian was to ensure it’s exactly what her heart desires. Visit our amazing team at Fink’s Jewelers today and find out how we can help make your engagement the experience you both deserve!
