Tell us how you met.
Presently we are both paramedics working for separate services, but at the time we both worked for the same company and I was an EMT. I was part time and had to choose between two strangers to work with. His ID picture looked nicer than the other option, so I just went with him at the last minute. After several 12 hour runs together, we became friends. I found that we balanced each other in many aspects, which made for a great shift (plus he is hilarious which is a huge plus when you’re spending 12 hours with someone in a truck). We started to gradually do things together outside of work, to a point where we were pretty much seeing each other every day. Eventually we had the conversation to start dating, but by that time we did so many things together it felt like we already were!

Tell the story of your proposal.
We went on a family trip to Glasgow. I love plants and Austin had found a really awesome looking botanical garden. He kept insisting we go despite the weather, so we eventually did despite the rain. My sister and the two of us went there and spent a couple of hours going through it. The sun actually came out while we were in the green houses, but as soon as we exited and walked the perfect distance to be in a bind without cover, it began hailing. Kaitlyn ran back to the green house and Austin and I just stood under a tree for several minutes. The sun came back out shortly after and we resumed our walk. When we were coming to the end of a trial, there was a clearing in the trees to overlook a hill. I went in to see what was down there, but it was just some trees and tarps. When I turned around, he was behind me on a knee! It turned out that he had been carrying the ring for the entire trip in his backpack and had been waiting on the right time to propose. This made so much more sense as to why he refused to take the bag off no matter where we went, even when sitting down eating dinner. He said he didn’t have to think much when I voluntarily went into a random clearing in the trees. My sister also didn’t know anything, so he had enough time to shove his phone into her hands and tell her to record. It was awesome to have a private moment for the proposal but still have family to celebrate with afterwards, all in such a beautiful place!

Tell us about the ring!
Ronni and I have been friends for years, so I knew I wanted her to help us find the perfect ring. I went in and discussed some gems I liked because I wanted a colored center stone. I knew I LOVED the marquise cut, but I was open to pretty much anything that her and Austin came up with. Ronni and Austin did the rest! I love that my ring was made by a friend, it adds even more sentimental value. The Zircon also changes color depending on the lighting, so I get an array of blues and greens every day! I know that a lot of effort was put into finding me the perfect gem stone and custom designing the ring to fit it, and it feels perfect for me in every way!