An Engagement Story: Katie & Chad

Next up in our engagement series we talk with Katie Keegan and Chad Moore. Despite an utterly unromantic start, see how Chad managed to pull off a sort-of-surprise engagement and design a sentimental ring inspired by symbols meaningful to Katie.  Meaghan: So, how did the two of you initially meet? Katie: This may be disappointingly unromantic but we actually met at work. For the first year we worked together, I thought he was really quiet and possibly a serial killer, and I’m pretty sure he thought I was loud and stuck up… Meaghan: That’s so funny. What drew you to him, then? And are you sure he’s not a serial killer? Katie: Honestly, he made me laugh, which was huge. It showed me that he had a sense of humor, and I took that to mean that he probably wasn’t a serial killer afterall.  Meaghan: I guess the jury is still out on that, but I think you’re probably right. Chad? Chad: Other than her bossiness? (ha) Her competitiveness, definitely. And we developed a great banter. She made me feel like I could be myself and talk about anything. Katie: (laughing) That’s probably the sweetest thing he has ever said about me. Meaghan: How did you get engaged? Was it a surprise? Katie: We had conversations long before getting engaged and we both knew it was something we wanted to plan for and work towards. Chad had told me that he wouldn’t get my input on a ring because he wanted the proposal to be a surprise…which I was, of course, really nervous about. Knowing him he would have designed something in the shape of a fish since he’s an avid fisherman. Meaghan: Oh, for sure. It’s so nerve-wracking to let your partner design your ring! Katie, I remember you actually sent us photos a year before Chad proposed of a few rings and we talked about things that you liked about each one. I think that was a smart move. Katie: Right. I trust you guys completely and I knew if I sent him here with some direction, it would turn out beautifully. There wasn’t one single ring that I wanted to replicate so it was still a surprise in terms of the final product, but you guys knew what elements I wanted to include. So, after all this, Chad started talking about buying a new boat so I figured he wasn’t going to be proposing with a ring anytime soon. For weeks he just kept talking about his future boat and said nothing about what was going on with a ring. So, I was definitely surprised by the whole thing.  Meaghan: Chad, how did you come up with your plan to propose? Chad: Well, I was really focused on a particular date, July 17th. Seventeen is a really significant number for Katie -- it was her and her dad’s lucky number -- and I knew I wanted to propose on that date. It was a nice day so I suggested that we go have a picnic at Jones Point. I brought her favorite sushi from Momo and her favorite bottle of rosé, and we brought her (our) dog Sadie. Katie: I was a little suspicious at this point since he never plans stuff like this, but I went along with it, and forgot to think about it because we just talked throughout the picnic. Then, while he was reaching for something, Chad smoothly dropped to one knee and I was like, “Oh! Of course!” And I said yes. Meaghan: Tell me more about the symbolism in your rings. Chad: Well in Katie’s ring I worked with Tim to make the arches reminiscent of the number 17 -- if you look at them a certain way, you can see it. Then in my ring, I wanted to use a stone from my grandfather’s ring that he always wore, and I added 16 diamonds to the band for a total of 17 stones all together.  Katie: Before my dad passed we shared this number. He was born on the 17th, it was his football number and my soccer number, the list goes on. So, whenever I see the number 17 I always think of him. It’s just this reassuring presence in my daily life that he’s here.  Meaghan: That’s so beautiful. I love seeing how pieces we make come together in such meaningful ways. Chad, I know your sister was a jeweler in a previous life so you have access to knowledgeable resources of your own. What made you and Katie decide to go with Alx&Co. for your rings? Katie: For me it was a complete no-brainer since I’ve worked with Tim on other jewelry in the past so he really knows my style. I knew I could trust him to take my input and execute something beautiful. I also felt really comfortable emailing you guys my input and knowing that you would take that into account in a diplomatic way when working with Chad on the design.  Chad: Of course, Katie’s word is everything so I knew I was going to work with Tim but I was so pleased with the whole process. I kind of threw him through a loop for my band because I wanted something “not flashy” but I wanted him to incorporate a rather large stone from my grandfather and 16 other diamonds which, in a men’s band, is going to stand out. He really pulled it off though. Meaghan: In one word, how would you describe the design process overall? Katie: Simple! Seamless! Worry-free! Ha, I can’t settle on just one word. I have all the trust in the world in Tim. Chad: Easy. Meaghan: Now that you’ve been through it, any engagement tips or lessons learned? Katie: Make sure you’re comfortable. No one walks into this process 100 percent certain about what they want unless they’re in the industry. Most people need some kind of education on stones, let alone the design, so having that level of comfort is so important. Tim is that. Chad: Go see Tim!