Oval
Round
Pear
Emerald
Cushion
Marquise
Princess
Radiant
Trillion
How Did You Meet Each Other?
Natalie: A mutual friend of ours had a show (he’s a music guy) and I went with one of my other friends who had been hyping Ian up to me whenever the opportunity arose calling him our friend’s “hot friend.” I didn’t realize they’d wanted us together for a long time before we even met, but once we did they didn’t even have to work any magic because we clicked so instantaneously.
Ian: We had met each other at one of our friends’ concerts. Thank God for mutual friends!
Was It “Love At First Sight”?
Natalie: It depends on what you consider “Love At First Sight” to be. I was a little tipsy and in denial that we were even flirting until I was told that he said he was into me by my friends. I did start asking my friends if they saw me as a pastor’s wife (Ian is a youth pastor) before we made our relationship official, though. We had a lot of love for each other right off the bat, and I think I always knew that he was the one deep down but just didn’t want to seem crazy.
Ian: I wouldn’t go so far to say it was “love at first sight,” but there was definitely immediate interest. I quickly started to set up plans right off the bat to play chess while she was playing checkers and ask her out.
How Would You Describe Each Other In 3 Words?
Natalie: Ian is passionate, a leader, and goofy.
Ian: Natalie is affectionate, kind, gracious.
How/When Did You Know That You Were “The One” For Each Other?
Natalie: As I said, I think I knew right off the bat but didn’t want to seem crazy for it. I came to terms with knowing and realized that I was serious about how I felt rather than just enamored 5-6 months into our relationship. That’s when I felt comfortable talking about how right this all is.
Ian: I had started to feel like things were getting real when we started to talk about things we would love to do/see in the future. We really did mesh perfectly in that, and as time went by and our feelings grew and grew I smoothly began to feel that my “pursuit” to a lifelong partner was over. I had found my one.
How Did The Proposal Happen?
Natalie: It was October 23, a seemingly normal Sunday. We started with Church in the morning and afterward, we decided to go to our favorite coffee shop (for anyone in NJ it’s Harvest Coffee Roasters in Medford). Then we went to get actual lunch at our favorite Italian place (La Campagnola) which we go to for a lot of fancy anniversary dinners, but their lunch is more relaxed. We were watching baseball while we were there. We stopped at Walmart and got bedsheets and sunglasses so we could do the ghost photoshoot trend since we were amid spooky szn, and then we took to the woods. As we walked, Ian mentioned how we had officially been together for 400 days and how he has cherished every moment. We rounded the corner and he had a beautiful archway set up and decorated with flowers and candles- that’s when he popped the question. His sister and two of our friends were hiding in the bushes taking pictures and had helped set up during the day. We got back to his house and it was decorated for a little engagement party and a bunch of our closest friends and family came by to celebrate. Then the Phillies made it to the World Series which wrapped up our perfect day!
Ian: The proposal was set up on a forest trail near my parents’ house. It was originally supposed to be done on a lake’s bridge near the neighborhood, but unfortunately it was pouring rain all day so we needed to get some help from the trees.
What Ring Did You Get From Us?
Natalie: The Madison :)
Ian: I got her the 1.20ct Madison Moissanite. She saw a TikTok a few months before about moissanites and became a big fan, and after seeing the quality and beauty of them I became a fan myself. It really is an awesome ring, and I was stoked that she thought so herself!
What About The Ring Caught Your Eye? Is There Any Significance Behind Why You Picked The Ring That You Did?
Natalie: Ian actually picked it himself and got it approved by some of my friends. I told him I like simple and elegant, timeless and delicate, but that I’m not a fan of princess cut for myself. I knew I wanted moissanite and when I found Rosados Box I sent him the link immediately and he loved it. But I still let him pick it out :)
Ian: She deeply disliked circular and rectangular diamonds but loved ovular ones. I thought the side stones were a great touch and it became an instant win for me, and the approval of it from all of her friends helped as well!
Did You Always Have An Idea In Mind Of What Ring Style You Wanted Or Did It Change Over Time?
Natalie: I really just didn’t want a circular or square stone because it’s not so much my style and I felt like it would make my fingers look stumpy. Otherwise, just simplicity but no real rules for him to follow. I wanted to see what he’d look at that would make him think of me.
Ian: You could say it changed over time since it was never a deep thought to me until marriage became a legitimate possibility in our relationship, then I definitely found what I liked, and thankfully we both loved this ring.
What Are You Looking Forward To The Most About Your Wedding Day Or Marriage In General?
Natalie: As corny as it sounds, I’m looking forward to coming home to my husband every day, or him coming home to me every day. Just waking up and going to sleep together and not having to go visit to see him and vice versa.
Ian: The biggest thing I’m looking forward to in regard to our wedding in marriage is just the beginning of our lives as one entity. We’ll get to celebrate it all with our family and closest friends and begin to live out the journey ahead with each other. So much to look forward to!
Do You Have Any Advice For Couples In Regards To Marriage, Love, Or Relationships?
Natalie: COMMUNICATE. People can’t read minds; Talk about your dreams, goals, what you want and like and what you don’t. Talk about the little things. Listen before you respond and take the time to really hear each other. And when it comes to marriage in particular, don’t sweat the small stuff. Be responsible, make plans, and finance appropriately but enjoy the engagement and don’t get worked up about things that will go unnoticed by others. You’re entering into a lifetime together, one day (though important and beautiful) isn’t the end all be all.
Ian: Try to see things from your significant other’s perspective before you make important or impactful decisions. See your relationship as a team sport, try to be on the same page as best as you can and help one another to learn the same playbook (if you’re picking up what I’m putting down, sorry to non-sports fans). It really is quite the learning experience, be willing to adjust to what is best for both sides REGARDLESS OF HOW HARD IT MAY BE TO ACCEPT!
How sweet was Natalie and Ian’s love story?! We would like to thank them again for sharing their story with us, and we wish them nothing but the best on their journey together! Want to share your story on the blog or on our socials? Contact us, tag us, and use the #yesrosadosbox – we would love to feature you! See you next time, Rosettes!*Photos Courtesy of Radley Productions*
