OurLoveStory NATASHA PATETE AND RYAN RICHARDSON
Taylor Dane Photography
- As told by Ryan “The first time I ever met Natasha came about because two friends in my high school Trigonometry class told me I had a fan in their Spanish class. Nothing serious, just a few laughs about a “cute” younger boy (me) who walks into school everyday with his LA hat. Later, I received a Facebook message from Natasha assuring me she was no stalker. We met in person at a soccer game. I was so nervous that I didn’t talk much. I will remember that night forever. We spent a lot of time together until she went off to Alabama. We knew if we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, then this would be a test. I graduated a year later and moved to Tuscaloosa. After a wonderful year in the same city, we grew, but a lot was yet to change. I found my passion working, and the best option was for me to move to Birmingham. Again, we were in different cities. We spent two years seeing each other only on weekends. When Natasha was accepted to The University of Mississippi to pursue her Masters, I was scared. In reality, this became one of the best chapters of our lives. The next challenge would be me leaving to Colorado for the summer to further my career. She visited, and we spent some time exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. When Natasha graduated, we were in the same city for the first time in four years. It was time to take the next step and pop the question. As luck would have it, Natasha’s best friend,a professional photographer, was going to be in Colorado for a shoot, the perfect place for our proposal. - As told by Natasha “ It all started my junior year of high school (2010) when I would see Ryan walking into school wearing his LA Dodgers hat. I expressed my adoration for him to a friend who told a friend who told him and I was so embarrassed because we didn’t even know each other! So...I
Facebook messaged him. We hung out a few weeks later at a soccer game but Ryan maybe said ten words the whole night. (Ryan tells me that he knew that night that he was going to marry me.) Yet, I was smitten...16-year-old me totally falling for the younger, LA-Dodgerhat-wearing sophomore. Flash forward; I was heading to the University of Alabama. Ryan had one more year of high school, but we were determined to make it work. It was hard. We almost didn’t make it, but something just kept bringing me back to him. Ryan moved to Tuscaloosa the next year and we had one great year in the same town. For the following two years, we were 45 minutes apart, and we learned the importance of communication. I desperately wanted to stay instate for my graduate study; little did I know that going to Ole Miss would be one of my biggest blessings. The weekends in Oxford when Ryan visited are some of my favorite memories. Exploring William Faulkner’s house, Rowan Oak, and walking around The Square with High Point coffee in hand, I fell in love with Ryan all over again. Upon graduation, I moved back to Alabaster. By this point, Ryan and I had talked about marriage, and I had “engagement fever,” bad. Those Diamonds Direct commercials were following me, I swear. I was googling and Pinteresting pictures of rings daily. My best friend, Taylor, who’s a photographer, invited us to a shoot in Rocky Mountain National Park. On August 25, 2017, we made the trek into the mountains. We found a huge open area with the most breathtaking view. We walked out onto the rocks, and Ryan grabbed my hands to turn me towards him. He told me he loved me and asked me to marry him! It was such an incredible moment. Eight years ago, I didn’t expect any of this. I didn’t know God’s plans for my life or our relationship. I had a crush on a boy who I wasn’t sure I should date because he was younger than me. I’m so glad I said “YES”, in 2010. I’m even more elated that I said “YES” in 2017. What I’m most excited for is to say, “I DO!” in 2018.”
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com
Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.
OurLoveStory DR. CHRISTOPHER JAHRAUS AND GINA FAULKNER JAHRAUS
I
As Told by Dr. Chris Jahraus
I’ll give you the quick version. It’ll help you understand what makes our love so special. Gina and I had both been previously married, and our spouses both filed for divorce. That was a huge blow to each of us, as we thought we knew what love was. God had better plans for us! We first knew each other as couples. When Gina and her first husband relocated to Texas, we kept up with each other mostly with a “Happy Birthday” note via Facebook once a year. After her divorce, Gina moved back and we reconnected. It took no time to realize that we were meant to be. God allowed us to experience our individual tragedies, so that we could see what a beautiful life He had in store for us together. A co-worker told me about Diamonds Direct. Once there, we met Kimberly Powell, who helped us with the ring purchase. We wanted something unique, and we decided on a stunning Verragio setting. Nobody had created the exact combination we wanted, and I wasn’t sure that I could afford what I really wanted. Kimberly to the rescue!! She called to tell me that she had found an exceptional value on a high quality Asscher-cut diamond. I went to look, and it was nothing short of stunning. It was a superb value, and I actually COULD afford it! I took the plunge, and Kimberly sent-off to Verragio’s design studio in New York to make the perfect engagement ring for Gina. Getting the drawings back was exciting, and we accented it all with a pink sapphire
Photos by Meta Mesdag with Catchfly Photography
on each face, because Gina loves the color pink! For the engagement, I surprised Gina with an impromptu trip to Minneapolis to see (of all things) a ballet production of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” At intermission, I pulled the ring out of my jacket, tied to a pink ribbon, got down on one knee, and asked her to be my forever beloved wife. The whole theater was watching, and when we got up and kissed, the crowd applauded! After the engagement, Kimberly helped us again, working with Verragio to create an equally unique wedding ring for Gina. My ring came from Diamonds Direct too, and it actually has Gina’s nickname for me engraved inside it in Gina’s own handwriting! We wanted our wedding to be equally unique. We found our perfect setting…the Sentinel Island Lighthouse on Lynn Canal in Juneau, Alaska. The morning of the wedding, we passed sea lions and mountains that can only be imagined. As we traveled, clouds gave way to incredible sunshine, and Sentinel Island came into view. There, we pledged our love. My sister gave the message, my brother officiated, and each of our oldest two children were there as attendants. A raven crowed loudly throughout the ceremony; I’m told the native peoples of Alaska regard this as a sign of blessing. I am beyond blessed to be married to Gina. She is the the love of my life, and now I know what true love really is.
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com
Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.
OurLoveStory JOSHUA OWENS AND ASHLEY CHAO
Joshua Owens and Ashley Chao met and fell in love here in Birmingham, but when Josh was ready to propose, Seattle seemed the perfect backdrop for the beginning of their new lives together. Photos by Caron Nicole Photography
THE RING “I chose a Verragio three-stone setting, with white gold on the outer band and yellow gold on the inlay,” Joshua says. “What makes this ring so special is the beauty and meaning of the three stones. Diamonds Direct was able to incorporate her mother’s diamond as the center piece, my grandmother’s diamond as one of the side stones, and they perfectly matched the other side stone. The three stones represent the past, present, and future of what we have to look forward to in our lives.” “He picked out the most beautiful ring I could have imagined,” Ashley says. “I knew he was going to use something from his family, and something on his own. The best surprise was learning there was a part of both of our families involved in the actual ring.”
THE PROPOSAL “A proposal is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I wanted to make it extra special,” Joshua says. “I landed on Seattle as the place to plan a surprise trip to propose. After we arrived, a limo shuttled us around the city and saw the sights…and later we caught a water taxi across Elliot Bay. We walked to the end of the dock, I held her in my arms and said something sweet. Just before she turned around I dropped to my knee, and in that moment a dream became a reality.” Ashley remembers, “When we got off the water taxi, I was thinking, ‘I just love this man so much. He has brought me to this beautiful place with an amazing view of the city skyline… and when he asked me to turn around, my excitement was at an all-time high as he asked me to marry him. Before I even looked at the ring I yelled, ‘Yes!!!!’”
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com
Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.
OurLoveStory ELIZABETH PHENY AND PARKER O’BARR
Photos by Eric & Jamie Photography
PARKER TALKS ABOUT THE RING: The ring is a platinum 3.5 carat round cut Tacori RoyalT engagement ring featuring a diamond bloom around the center stone. The intricateness and heirloom elegance of the ring give it a timeless beauty, just like Elizabeth. I was blown away at the selection at Diamonds Direct. Kimberly was so helpful in showing me a wide range of potential options and explaining what to look for with each one. ELIZABETH, ON THE PROPOSAL: Parker and I had talked about my idea of a“dream proposal;” I wanted photographers there and I wanted it to be somewhere that was special to us. The night before the proposal, Parker’s sister Emily and his niece came down and spent the night. The next day, Parker went to help his friend move furniture. So we had a “girls day”. Emily gave me
a manicure and did my makeup and once she was finished, she said, “Do you want to go get engaged now?!” After I freaked out from excitement, I put on a special dress and closed my eyes while they drove me to Parker. When he told me to open my eyes, we were on The Crest overlooking downtown Birmingham. He told me how much he loved me and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life making me happy. I said “yes” of course! After a few minutes, I looked over to see that Eric & Jamie Photography (my favorite photographers) were taking pictures of this amazing moment! We took proposal pictures for the next hour. When we finished up, Parker and I visited spots where memorable moments in our relationship had occurred. We stopped for a drink at The Marble Ring, where we had celebrated our first anniversary, before heading to a romantic dinner at Gianmarco’s (my ABSOLUTE favorite restaurant in Birmingham). I was completely surprised when I walked in and saw all our loved ones there to celebrate with us! Parker exceeded my expectations when it came to our proposal; it could not have been more perfect.
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com
Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.
OurLoveStory LINDSAY HAMRIC AND ALAN WALKER
Photo Credits: Birmingham: Katie & Alec Photography; Hawaii: Pacific Dream Photography
THE PROPOSAL Our engagement story is magical. We got engaged in Maui, Hawaii. Alan won free flights to Hawaii, and we decided to go for my birthday. He said he had arranged a little birthday something with the concierge, and we had to be in the lobby at 6 pm. When we entered the lobby, a photographer told us we were getting a complimentary photo shoot around the hotel for my birthday. We took some pictures and ended up on the beach as the sun was setting. Alan dropped down on his knee and proposed! It was the most surreal moment. He led me to a cabana that had champagne, roses and candles. It was midnight in Birmingham, but that didn’t stop us from calling all our loved ones at home and waking them up with our exciting news! Definitely the best birthday ever! We came home on Sunday, exhausted. We walked into my parents’ house, and I was STUNNED. Our best friends and family were there for a surprise engagement party.
The Ring I definitely wanted a say in the ring. Alan asked if I would go ahead and look at some. So my mom, my sister, and I had the best girls’ day! Diamonds Direct was having an event, and they had top designers in the store. I showed the designer from C Gonshor a picture; she immediately brought out exactly what I was looking for. I modified it to a Channel-set Halo because I thought it made the center diamond pop. Then, Alan and I went to Diamonds Direct together. He was so interested in the 4 C’s (cut, carat, clarity, color). It was his idea to add side diamonds. He was adorable picking out the center stone. Once we picked a stone, he asked Emily to make sure there wasn’t a better stone in our price range. Emily found one in another state. She had the diamond flown in that week, and it was beautiful!! Alan is so proud of this ring; he loves it and loves how we designed it. It’s so cute that he cared so much and was so involved in the process. (As told by Lindsay)
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com
Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.
OurLoveStory ASHLEY COLBURN AND TATE WEST
The love story of Ashley Colburn and Tate West began way back in middle school. “We met at R.F. Bumpus Middle School in our 6th grade homeroom. I liked his blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Once I got to know him, I realized that we could easily become close friends. I enjoyed his sense of humor,” Ashley says. Tate remembers it the same way. “We met in homeroom in 6th grade. She was really easy to talk to and be yourself around her. You could tell she was always happy and smiling. Her blue eyes showed compassion.” Their paths crossed again in high school and that is when each decided they had really found the one. Ashley works as a diamond expert at Diamonds Direct. Tate is completing a bachelor of science degree in environmental science at The University of Alabama. Their wedding date is set for Saturday, July 27th, 2019. Shopping for the Ring Ashley’s job as a diamond expert made the ring-buying process a breeze. “I picked it out based on what I knew she liked from listening to her ideas and looking at pictures she had shown me before. I was
able to pick the right setting and the diamond. The ring has a round, classic solitaire diamond with excellent fire and brilliance. I love this ring because it’s special and one-of-a-kind,” Tate says. “Emily made the process easy and stress-free. I knew as soon as I saw it- that it was exactly the right one for us. “The ring is everything I wanted and more! He really did a great job, and I know Emily and my other coworkers made the process so easy for him!” says Ashley. The Proposal Tate: “I thought Christmas would be the right time to propose as it would be the perfect gift and most of our families would be around, too.” Ashley remembers all the details. “It was Christmas morning and my family had just opened presents. My parents were in the kitchen preparing Christmas lunch. Tate was standing by the piano in the living room while I sat on the love seat. I asked him if he wanted to watch a Christmas movie and he said, ‘You’ve got one more Christmas present!’ He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so excited and kept asking him, “Is this real life!?”
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com
Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.
OurLoveStory LEIGHTON SPARKS AND WILL PARKER
Leighton Sparks and Will Parker’s love story began with a chance meeting on a golf course, and led to a proposal this past January. Will is 21 and works at the Anniston Army Depot. Leighton is 19 and a student at Gadsden State Community College majoring in nursing. She works part-time at Stacy’s Auto Sales. “After Will and I had been on a few dates I knew he was the one,” Leighton says. “He treated me like no one else ever had. He showed me how a girl was supposed to be treated and what true love was. Will is such a sweetheart and so fun to be around. He always keeps a smile on my face. He is such a gentleman and has the biggest heart. I knew from the start he was the one God had picked for me and I couldn’t be happier. I thank God every day for blessing me with Will.” Will echoes that sense of joy: “I realized I had met the one after a few dates when I realized that I was with the sweetest, most caring, beautiful girl in the world. I realized that there wasn’t another girl in the world that could come close to how perfect Leighton is.” The couple loves eating out, going on vacation, playing golf, riding bikes, bowling, and just hanging out together.
The Ring The engagement ring is a halo setting with a 1.52 carat round diamond. “I love my ring,” Leighton says. “It is exactly what I wanted. Will has the best taste. My ring is so perfect and beautiful.” Will remembers his diamond shopping experience at Diamonds Direct: “My experience was great. Ashley Colburn was my consultant. She was very helpful and patient with me since I had no experience dealing with diamonds. She helped me get the best deal possible, a deal I would not have gotten anywhere else. I picked Diamonds Direct because of their reputation. Their service and deals cannot be beat.”
The First Meeting “The first time I saw Leighton, I was golfing with my buddy. We were finishing up when Leighton rode by with her friend. I loved her voice and she was so pretty. I asked my buddy who that was, and I told him I was going to date her. And I did.” Leighton remembers that chance
meeting: “I saw Will for the first time at the golf course with a friend. I saw him several times after that at ball games. I’ve always thought he was so handsome. One day not long after that he sent me a DM on Instagram asking for my snapchat, and that’s how it all began.”
The Proposal “I had the ring for about two months,” Will says. “I was really just waiting for what felt like the right time. Leighton had asked my mom to take our pictures; my mom is a photographer. I decided that would be the best time to do it and that maybe she wouldn’t be expecting it. It was the happiest moment of my life when she said yes.” “I had no idea he was going to propose on that day,” Leighton says. “He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes! It was definitely the happiest moment of my life. Seeing Will tear up made my heart so happy and it was the sweetest thing ever. I knew I would get to go through life with the one I loved the most.”
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com
Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.
OurLoveStory
THE LOVE STORY OF ABBEY LEMONS AND FRANKIE KALDI
Pharmacists in love could be the theme of the love story of Abbey Lemons and Frankie Kaldi. Both Frankie and Abbey are pharmacists (although Frankie just graduated last month) and both worked together at Walgreen’s when Abbey was a pharmacist and Frankie a pharmacy intern. That’s where they met. And that’s where Frankie popped the question. He put together an elaborate plan and proposed to Abbey right there in Walgreen’s with a fake pill bottle full of nerd candies with a beautiful diamond on top. The label on the pill bottle was a pretend heart medication since Abbey had set Frankie’s “heart aflutter.” “I will never forget the moment on October 25, 2018 when I looked into that pill bottle and saw the ring of my dreams sparkling beautifully at the top! It was such a special moment to become engaged at the very place we met alongside co-workers who have lived our jour-
ney with us from the beginning.” Frankie and Abbey had spent some time shopping for just the right ring. “Diamonds Direct is a place like no other. They truly went above and beyond for us. We are grateful that Frankie knew exactly what he was buying because he had the opportunity to look closely at various stones before placing my stone in the perfect setting,” Abbey says. “We have also enjoyed the experience of shopping for wedding bands together at Diamonds Direct. They are so accommodating and make you feel like family, yet at the same time are professional and so knowledgeable about diamonds. I stop in frequently to get my ring cleaned and always leave with it sparkling so much that it catches other people’s eyes.” The couple were married on May 17. “We cannot wait to live out our journey as Dr. and Dr. Kaldi,” Abbey says.
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com
Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.
OurLoveStory
THE LOVE STORY OF DAVETTA JOHNSON AND RONALD ASHLEY
The Love Story of Davetta Johnson and Ronald Ashley actually began quite a few years ago. It just took a little while to turn into the kind of true love that ends with a proposal of marriage at an Alabama State tailgating party. It was a beautiful tribute to a love story that began way back in high school. “We actually met in high school in 2007,” Davetta says. “We were introduced at a high school dance. We dated my freshman year in high school. He was a senior. He graduated and we decided to become friends and stayed in touch. We rekindled our relationship in 2015 and it didn’t work out. We finally got back together December 2016 and the rest is history!” When it came time to get engaged, Ronald let Davetta plan the event. “The funny thing is he let me plan the entire thing--
from what he was wearing to the style of ring.” The engagement took place at a tailgate party at Alabama State, celebrating Davetta’s graduation. “He played my favorite song, Best Part by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. He got down on one knee and popped the question!” Though he might not have sprung a surprise on Davetta at the engagement, Ronald took care of shopping for the ring at Diamonds Direct. “He said that the service was absolutely amazing. Denielle Johnson at Diamonds Direct helped him pick out my ring. They even delivered it to him once it was ready,” Davetta says. And then the love story that started way back in high school became official.
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com
Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.
OurLoveStory THE LOVE STORY OF JORDAN HOWELL AND ABBY NORRIS
Jordan Howell and Abby Norris met way back in in their freshman year of high school. Mutual friends introduced them at their church. Friends first, they started dating in July 2013, the summer before their senior year in high school. They can’t point to a single moment when it became obvious that they belonged together, but they knew deep in their hearts it was right, and a way to serve the Lord more effectively together than as individuals. Today, Jordan, a graduate of the University of Alabama, is in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Samford University. He will graduate in May 2021. Abby graduated from the University of Alabama in May 2018 with a degree in Clothing, Textile, and Design. She currently works as a media specialist for ExVoto Vintage Jewelry in Mountain Brook Village. They became engaged on May 25, 2019, while Abby was visiting Jordan in Nashville, where he was doing a clinical internship for his DPT program. Jordan planned the day with a visit to Percy Warner Park, which features a large stone staircase built during the Depression. At the bottom of those stairs, Jordan proposed. Family members, who had been in hiding, popped out to take
pictures, and later the families all gathered for a special lunch. “It was the most surreal day,” Abby says. “We are so thankful for each and every family member who made the drive to Nashville to celebrate with us. We are blessed with amazing people in our lives and Jordan could not have planned the day any better.” An earlier surprise came when Jordan made an appointment at Diamonds Direct. He and Abby sat down with Ben Ash at Diamonds Direct and found some options that were perfect for them. “I genuinely did not know what I was looking for when I walked into the appointment that day, but by the time I left, I knew exactly what I wanted. I got to pick every single thing out. I was blown away that I could design my own ring. I narrowed it down to two specific diamonds and two bands and left it up to Jordan to pick, so there was still a surprise. I could not have been happier with the outcome. Seeing it for the first time all together when he proposed was priceless,” Abby says. The couple’s planned wedding date is May 3, 2020 at The Barn at Smith Lake.
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com
Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.