Happy Wedding Anniversary to Inka & Ronald!

The phone rings. A familiar name, a familiar voice. I can always tell from the tone of the voice, even before the word is spoken. It is as if I can almost see the smile behind the voice and feel the nervous excitement and hope radiate through the phone line from Dubai. 

“… Faith… can I ask you about engagement rings?” It is our old friend Ronald’s turn.

I get lots of phone calls by the way and I can say I remember distinctly each one of them. Keeping the boyfriends’ secret from my girlfriends is often most thrilling, yet nerve wrecking at times.

Ronald and Inka are my special friends. We go back a long way now. More than 10 years of friendship and one of the first friends I’ve met and kept since I arrived in Australia. A beautiful couple that compliment each other in so many ways, a real match made in heaven. Designing their engagement ring was a real honor for me but choosing the diamond was a real highlight.

Being at the frontline of ‘fine jewellery consulting’, I get asked a lot of personal questions from the awkward, like “…how much did you pay for your ring?”, to the extreme. There’s often the query whether a guy should spend three months of his salary on the engagement ring – I seriously have no idea who came up with that or how relevant it is to the whole scheme of things.

“…Or he can spend the equivalent to the investment in his new Harley Davidson!” (according to a very witty lady client I once met).

The amount spent on the ring really isn’t what that matters most. And I was glad Ron didn’t ask me the questions above, but he did ask my opinion. I did guide him to finally pick the absolutely brightest and whitest color and highest clarity (pretty much flawless) diamond on the grading chart. I must say, his careful thought, process and deep sincerity of the proposal was what truly takes the cake. For the engagement ring is a promise. A promise that he will cherish and love Inka always. Protect her, guide her, keep her warm and make her laugh even when skies get grey.

In addition, the thumbs up of approval from the in-laws was the extra icing on the cake. Being aware that they are true appreciators of diamonds and its rare beauty, Ron’s choice of the premium jewel truly went that extra mile, symbolising he will strive and promise the best life and future holds for his wife to be, with their union.

To finally hear that, “SHE SAID YES!” was really just so awesome. And look at them now, five years on and a love stronger than ever, with two beautiful daughters to complete the truly happy family picture. One that inspires and touches the hearts of family and friends from around the globe. Well done my friends! Jakarta, Melbourne, Dubai and now New York… can’t wait to hear more about your new lives and adventures. Thank you for sharing all your special moments through your beautiful photos. Its just so heart warming watching Kira and Lana grow into gorgeous little girls.

Happy anniversary Ronald and Inka! Thank you for your friendship :-)

Cheers to many more special memories to come. Here's to forever..

God bless your beautiful family always…