Q: Tell us a little about yourself. We love to hear about people’s businesses, favorite hobbies, zodiac sign, animals etc!
Gavin: I own the Warehouse on Watts. I'm a Libra which makes it very hard for me to make simple choices. It was really great to have Angela help me in the process even though I drove her close to insanity several times. Some of my favorite hobbies are restoring and partying in our 1975 Winnebago Brave Minnie Winnie, dirt biking, consuming alcohol with my friends, and building stuff! Amanda and I share a lovely home with two fuzzy kitty cats and one brown dog. Johnny cat, Mr. Meowgi, and brown dog Max (@browndogmaxwoof).
Amanda: I met Gavin seven years ago while working at Cafe la Maude on 4th street (also where I first met Angela). Since then, I've been working as a sweater designer for Free People making lots of fluffy patterned sweaters. I'm a Scorpio, and I like being outside in nature a lot- whether exploring new neighborhoods in the city, finding specimens to capture in the wilderness, or camping with Gavin in the Winnebago. I like to take care of my plants, fishies, eat tacos, and go to metal shows 💀🤘.
Q: Why did you choose Angela Monaco to design your engagement ring?
Gavin: We're both from Ohio and everyone knows Ohio people RULE!!! Also, I appreciate the influences she draws from nature, and since Amanda is basically Pocahontas, she would TOTALLY dig it. Besides, if you're trying to express how unique your love for someone is, why would you ever go to a shop that pumps out replica after replica of the same designs?? SUPPORT BADASS LOCAL BUSINESSES! FUCK STARBUCKS!
Q: Is there anything about the process or fun details you want to share?
Gavin: Like I said, I have a really hard time choosing between very simple options so figuring out the best type of metal, orientation, and stones was definitely my hardest obstacle. Angela was really great at guiding me through the process and it was really fun working with her. Especially because she can be very blunt when needed, and for me that was perfect otherwise we'd still be working on it!
Q: When did the proposal happen and how?
Gavin: Amanda is really fun to surprise so I wanted to do something ultra special. I had the ring for several months but couldn't come up with a good way to propose. I knew I wanted to do something outside and before the holidays but the winter was closing in on us and I was running out of time. Amanda's birthday is on November 18th so I figured I'd took the dice with the weather and attempt a late Fall camping trip to a remote location in Cape May Crossings. I told her it would be a nice romantic getaway in nature that was secluded and off the grid. The place we stayed was a private quarry with two solar-powered cabins run by very awesome couple. We arrived Friday night after a WAWA dinner and found our cabin in the woods by moonlight. The sky was particularly beautiful that night and it was very chilly (of course the heater didn't work so we were snuggled up in bed REAL tight). The next morning we went on a self-guided nature tour of the property and Amanda filled her pockets with specimens, nature, and polaroid pictures of each other and mushrooms. After making a full lap around the nature preserve there was a walking bridge over a steam that led to a tower that overlooked the lake. I lead Amanda up to the tower and confessed that her birthday camping gift was purchased selfishly: I wanted to bring her somewhere so I could propose! Then, like the gentleman I am, i got down on one knee and asked her to marry me! After she promised herself to me for a lifetime of joy and happiness, we went to Marge's Diner (Eat here, get Gas) for our first meal as newly fianceed. After a day of exploring Stone harbor, we took outdoor showers at the cabin, popped expensive champagne, and then headed into Cape May for a romantic fancy pants dinner. I escorted Ms. Bowers into the Brown Room of Congress Hall for some pre-dinner cocktails where she was greeted with a surprise engagement party with all of our close friends! We went to Washington Inn for some AMAZING dinner and lots more🍾🍾🍾 with the crew.
Find out more about our custom engagement ring design here.