Category: In the News
Michelle Bane, 25, and her boyfriend, Ryan Cullan, 26, decided to commemorate their six-year dating anniversary on December 12th with a lovely dinner out. But Ryan had an even greater celebration in mind.
The Proposal
Despite six years of dating, and lots of kidding by friends wondering when the couple would tie the knot, Michelle was convinced Ryan would not be popping the question on December 12th.
“My sister-in-law asked me if I thought Ryan was going to ask me to marry him at dinner and I told her no, that just wasn’t Ryan’s style,” recalls Michelle. After dinner, the couple walked across the street to meet Ryan’s brother, Christopher, ostensibly for a drink, stopping to admire a decorated town Christmas tree.
A secret film crew across the street, consisting of Michelle’s cousin/best friend Kelsey and Ryan’s brother, were set up to capture what would soon take place. Ryan surprised Michelle by pulling a box out of his coat pocket, getting down on one knee in the traditional pose and asking her to marry him. And, of course, she said yes!
Back at Michelle’s house, both sets of parents and other friends awaited to help extend the evening the celebration.
“It was a perfect night which I know involved a lot of really great planning!”
The Ring
Michelle had accompanied her cousin Kelsey Pesature to David Craig Jewelers when Kelsey was in town having her ring (purchased at David Craig Jewelers) cleaned. For fun, Michelle had tried on a rose gold ring that Kelsey and sales person Kathy Sanders had said looked great with Michelle’s skin tone. Michelle had also mentioned that she really liked cushion cut diamonds (square with rounded corners), or those with round shapes.
When Ryan came in to shop for the ring he didn’t take any chances – bringing a crew consisting of Michelle’s two best friends, Stacy Cognigni and Kelsey, and Ryan’s sister, Krista Beirnat, to help him pick out the perfect ring for his fiancé.
Ryan looked closely at a variety of beautiful stones that salesperson Kathy Sanders and owner David Craig Rotenberg thought might be ideal. Ryan also listened to what the crew advised, in the end, picking out the diamond he liked best, a cushion-cut diamond set in rose gold that features eight, round brilliant diamonds on either side of the shank.
“Like the proposal itself, I know there was a lot of thought that went into the picking of my ring – and I just love it!” notes Michelle.
The Future
The couple considers the number 12 a lucky one (dating proposal date, proposal date, but also, let’s face it – 12 months in a year, 12 days of Christmas, 12 signs of the zodiac…) and, as such, have set the date for their wedding on December 12, 2020.
“We are going to keep that 12/12 anniversary date going strong,” says Michelle.
Best wishes to Michelle and Ryan from all of us here at David Craig Jewelers!
David Craig Jeweler’s website blog was revamped at the end of
2017 to incorporate personal ring stories, and the jewelry industry is taking notice. The blog was recently highlighted as one of “8 Blogs for Jewelry Lovers” by the American Gem Society (AGS) who explained:
…we’ve come across eight jewelry blogs that we’d like to share. They all feature terrific info on jewelry trends, heartwarming (and some funny!) stories about proposals, and of course, photos of beautiful jewelry!
Owner David Craig Rotenberg was also recently a guest author for the AGS’s blog. In “What’s That Bracelet (Really) Worth?” David discusses insurance and settlement appraisals and explains how to find a qualified jewelry appraiser.
AGS-credentialed jewelers and appraisers are part of a consumer protection organization that’s been around since 1934. Credentialed members are considered educated and ethical so consumers can shop with absolute confidence.
According to the AGS website, “only one in 20 jewelers have met the exacting requirements necessary for membership.” To become part of the organization, applications are reviewed by peers and members must take an annual recertification exam.
For more information on David Craig Rotenberg and David Craig Jewelers, visit
www.davidcraigjewelers.com or call 215-968-8900.