How did you and your significant other meet?

Online dating then went on our first date at Steuben's

As a couple, what are your interests/hobbies?

Traveling, theater, concerts, live shows, new restaurants, bourbon, and our four kids

When did you know your partner was “the one” and you wanted to get married?

We booked a trip to Mexico not long after we met. It was our first time getting to spend time alone for a period of time longer than an overnight. We had made the decision to go to Cancun in the middle of a blizzard and booked the tickets 3 months in advance on a whim. Sara surprised me with a day trip to Chichen Itza that would be an all day excursion. We had to wake up early the morning after we arrived and we figured out real quick that we are on the same travel schedule. We wake up at the same time, eat the same foods, and share a lot of the same topics.

When we got to Chicken Itza we wondered from the group and took some fun pics together. I knew I had met my partner and knew I was going to propose as soon as the time was right.

What is one of your favorite things about your partner?

I love that she is always willing to try something new. Whether it's food, a unique date, or a new travel place. We have so much fun together.

What was your proposal like (was the ring a surprise or was it collaborative)?

Before I even started planning the proposal, I wanted to make sure I had the right ring. There was no way I wasn't going to have her input on the ring. Sara had some ideas and I knew we had to go talk to Jamie at Balefire. We just so happened to show up on the right day because Jamie had the perfect tear drop sapphire being delivered soon. We loved the gem so much and it fit our ring design perfectly. I had the ring, now I just had to plan the proposal. 

I decided we should go back to the place where I knew Sara was the one. We went back to Cancun in April 2022 and I sprung the ring on her. I had the waiter drop the ring box on the floor next to her and when she looked back to me I was on one knee with the ring in my hand. She didn't hesitate at all and said yes immediately.

Tell us about your wedding (if it has happened yet).

We haven't been married yet but we are in the planning stages. We may go to Cancun, may do it at a brewery in Denver. We are going to make sure all of most important friends and family can be there. The plan is to have a very untraditional wedding. We have so many influences and important things in our life that we want to try and incorporate as much as possible.

Why did you decide to work with Balefire?

Jamie is an artist! She redesigned a ring for Sara and I knew then that she could give us the ring of our dreams. We are getting both of our rings from there and have always been treated like the most important customer every time we enter the store.

What advice would you give to other couples shopping for wedding or engagement rings?

Get something unique. Find what speaks to you and build around it. There are so many similar rings out there and Jamie made ours truly unique.

Anything else you want to share?

I love Sara and I look forward to the rest of my life with her. Balefire was able to capture my love for her and our future together in her ring.