“I got down on one knee and that was history right there”
Ali & Shannon
Ali and Shannon met during their first year of law school at Syracuse University in New York.
During their second year, their friendship strengthened and as they came to learn more about the other a romance blossomed on the picturesque college campus. ‘Within the first three or four months of dating’, Andy says, ‘I started to feel like I was dating “the one”’.
They describe a ‘spark’ between them that’s never faded over time. From their shared passion for law, to the dream home they’ve planned together, their closeness comes naturally.
When it came time to start thinking about a proposal, Andy knew that he wanted the ring to express very particular emotions he felt about Shannon, and hopefully say something about what she looks like through his eyes.
He knew that personalised details were going to make all the difference when it came to Shannon’s ring, so he spoke with a consultant and created something he felt would stand out without overshadowing the simple nature of love. ‘I rely on my mom’s judgement for 99% of things I do’, he says, so he took her advice when it came to the engagement ring as well.
He knew Shannon liked Art Deco design but he also wanted to choose a slightly less common cut for the centre diamond, ‘to put my own personal twist on the design’. Going off of a design he found saved on her Pintrest, he chose an Asscher cut diamond engagement ring instead of the original’s emerald cut to make it feel unique. He knew this small touch would go a long way in connecting both of them to the design.
How did you propose?
Andy: It happened during a huge trip we were taking around Europe. It was early morning in Paris, around 8am. We were heading out for coffee, but I had already arranged for a cab to take us to the Pont Alexandre bridge.
I wanted to pick a scenic location just for her—something she could look back on and remember. As the sun was rising, I got down on one knee and that was history right there.
As they start this next chapter of life together, Ali and Shannon have only one major thing on their to-do list, which is to enjoy their ‘humble life on the beach in Southern California, where we can enjoy sunsets and just live happily together’.
‘Doing the simple things like making dinner together every night, as lame as that sounds, that’s pretty much our life goal’.
