Julia + Andrew’s Engagement Ring Journey: A Candid Q+A Session on Choosing the Perfect Symbol of Love

Welcome to an insightful Q+A session with Julia and Andrew, where we delve into their thoughts, experience, and perspective regarding their relationship, engagement, and working with us at Soha Diamond Co. From their personal journey together as a couple, to designing their own engagement ring, to Andrew popping the question, join us as we share Julia and Andrew’s love story. 

Q: Where did you meet, and how long have you been together?

A: It all started with a broken keyboard, a mustache, and a trip to the zoo.

Rewind to March of 2019. A tiny software company based in Madison, Wisconsin is where our paths first crossed. Julia may work in tech, but she is by no means tech-savvy. Julia reached out to Andrew on multiple occasions for IT help, including when her keyboard mysteriously broke. Whispers in the office wondered "Is there something there between those two?" 

A few months later, we found ourselves at a concert together. Andrew tried to heroically save Julia from the 6 foot man jumping like a wild monkey in front of her. Would Julia thank him with a phone number at the end of the night? Nope, it was past her bedtime and she left early. 

It's now New Years Eve 2019, and we're celebrating with friends. We played a holiday family tradition, "the dollar game”, where you give and steal silly gifts. Julia's gift -- Hatchimals (Look them up). Guess who won them? Andrew. Julia OF COURSE had to check in on this coveted prize to make sure they made it home. They did, and a conversation sparked.

A few more months later and, you guessed it, Covid puts the world on pause. It wouldn't be until almost a year later in November of 2020 when we finally reconnected. Why, you ask? Andrew had spent the majority of his pandemic solitude growing out a lush mustache. Now, Andrew was not known for going "on camera" in our company Zoom calls. So when he finally turned that camera on, that mustache lit up the entire call. It was bait, and Julia took it. Julia immediately messaged him asking WHAT ON EARTH IS ON YOUR FACE?!

From there, we confided in one another about the challenges of living alone during a pandemic. After Julia offered a socially distanced walk with her dog, Andrew followed up with an invite to the Madison Zoo Christmas Lights instead.

A night that was supposed to be a casual meet up quickly turned into our first date. We laughed and talked and got in trouble for pulling our masks down to see the mustache in real life and ate Italian beefs and drank cocktails out of cans.

It was pure bliss. 

The dates kept coming, and weeks turned into months, which brings us to today. More than 4 years later, happier than we've ever been. We love our love.

Q: Tell us your proposal story! 

A:I knew it was coming, it was only a matter of when! I had just gotten back from being out of town, it was a warm August evening, and Andrew had suggested having dinner and a movie on our balcony. There were little fairy lights strung up, so I had my suspicions, but didn’t want to get overly excited. Being the nosey gal that I am, I asked  Andrew “Should I wear my dress or change into comfy clothes for this movie?” He knew I was fishing for clues, so he replied with a simple “Wear whatever you’re comfortable in” and went to get the projector screen.

I looked at my dog and said “Well, I guess your dad isn’t asking me to marry him tonight.” and begrudgingly walked upstairs to put on my pajamas. As we sat down to watch the movie, Andrew pressed play and the intro was not a movie I recognized. It was then I realized it was a video from an all too familiar place, our first trip together.

The tears started flowing and “Yes” was a given. 

It was just the two of us. In our comfy clothes surrounded by the stars outside our first home. It’s hard to put into words how wonderful this night was, and I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life.

Q: What drew you both, as a couple, to Soha Diamond Co.?

A: As an owner of a small business myself, we had decided early on we wanted to support a local, Madison jewelers. When we stumbled across Soha Diamond Co. originally on the Capitol square, the intimate location and setting of the storefront felt so inviting, we had to visit. I was immediately in love with some of the styles I saw online and eagerly booked an appointment. The entire experience from the moment we walked in the door was perfect. Soha and Aubree had to have been some of the most comforting, approachable, and knowledgeable jewelers we have ever met. We left our first appointment in full agreement that this was where we were going to get our wedding rings from. 

Q: What factors were most important to you when designing your engagement ring? 

A: I had a lot of ideas in mind in terms of the style engagement ring I was looking for. I’ve always been drawn to a more vintage yet timeless look. I am by no means a jewelry designer, so I definitely wanted to work with an expert to make my dream engagement ring come to life! I also wanted there to still be a surprise element to the engagement, so after meeting Aubree and seeing her passion to create the perfect design for you, I knew I was leaving my fiancé in good hands when I decided to step out of the process :) 

Q: What does your engagement ring mean to you?

A: I would say the engagement ring to me is a constant reminder. A reminder of the unconditional love I have in my life. A reminder of how much I’ve grown as a person in our relationship. A reminder that even on the days when I’m anxious or feeling down, Andrew will be there. A reminder that I am a better version of myself with Andrew. 

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to a couple that may be interested in designing their own engagement ring? 

A: Don’t be afraid to explain what it is that you’re looking for! The jewelers are the experts, and likely if you can dream it, they can make it. So share those inspiration pictures and craft something that is uniquely and perfectly you <3 

Q: As a fellow owner of a small business, we asked Julia to tell us about her local photography business! 

A: I’ve been a photographer for a little over 10 years as a side business. I photograph everything and anything, from couples to families to pets to newborns. I also do a lot of nonprofit work with my photography and photograph events for pet rescues in the Madison area and the Wisconsin Women’s Network! I truly just love taking my camera anywhere I can to capture special moments! Something else I am just starting to create are photo-op displays! I make floral displays and banners for events and display them so people can use it as a spot for a selfie or where I can grab a shot with my professional camera! It's a lot of fun!

 Visit Julia's Photography website:

https://www.photographybyjewel.com/

Soha Diamond Co. is a jewelry store located in Madison, Wisconsin:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/J8zaeQUYWAk23hDNA

View custom Soha engagement ring styles on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/sohadiamondco

Browse Soha Diamond Co. engagement ring inspirations:

https://www.sohadiamondco.com/pages/our-engagement-rings

Learn about Soha’s engagement ring design process:

https://www.sohadiamondco.com/pages/design-process

Book your custom engagement ring visit with Soha:

https://calendly.com/sohadiamondco