The Chupi Engagement Series: Justina & Jordan

Meet Justina and Jordan, the latest couple in The Chupi Engagement Series. Justina from A Bent Piece of Wire tells us the story of how she met Jordan four years ago in college right through to their engagement earlier this month with the most beautiful You Me & Magic Grey Diamond Engagement Ring.

Jordan and I met in December of 2015 – he messaged me on Facebook after a professor we’d both had suggested he reach out and ask if I’d be interested in joining our college paper. I was not. I made it very difficult for him. I wasn’t interested in the workload that came with being on the paper or being in a relationship and certainly didn’t see this one coming.

But eventually, he convinced me to both join the paper and go on a date with him to see my first ever Star Wars movie (a deficit he detected when I couldn’t identify his Rebel and Empire tattoos). He was funny, sarcastic, and a phenomenal listener despite the fact that I talk endlessly, and I’m certain he was exhausted.

I had a gut feeling that something was going on, but honestly hadn’t considered it was a proposal.

Truthfully, that first date was it for us. Here’s a secret: the day we’ve celebrated as our “anniversary” for the last four years is just a day we picked because we haven’t really been apart since the day we met. We never started “dating”, or even really talked about it – we just were together. March 5th just seemed as good a choice as any. In 2018 we decided to move to Southern California from our hometown of Sacramento.

It was a massive move, and a first for both of us in terms of living with a partner, but it was one of the best things we’ve ever done. After four years together, we graduated this past May (from Cal State Fullerton, a school we transferred to together), and just recently moved into our beautiful 1920s apartment in LA. 

I had a gut feeling that something was going on, but honestly hadn’t considered it was a proposal. Jordan had gifted me a photoshoot at Lone Oak Longhorns in March, and because of COVID-19, it had been delayed to this significantly hotter day in July, but I was VERY excited to see the cows and finally get some more formal photos with Jordan (I had no idea). To start, we had shot photos of just me with the cows – who are massive, and have these incredibly impressive horns. Part of my gift was that Jordan would be in photos with me – something he has made abundantly clear he does not typically enjoy outside of our annual Christmas photo.

After another minute or so of negotiations, I finally turned around, and saw the pink Chupi box I had shown him so many times before, and knew.

After a few test shots to loosen us up, which involved both of us almost toppling into cow poop, our photographer Claire asked me to face the sunset and the cows, whispering to me – “He’s going to bear hug you from behind, and just turn and try to kiss him, okay? It’ll be candid.” I heard her give similar instructions to Jordan, without mentioning the kiss. At this point, I am almost laughably clueless as to what is going on. I hear Jordan say “Justina, turn around.” , and without turning around, respond: “No, Jordan, you’re supposed to hug me.” 

Yes, my partner of 4 years was currently knee-deep in a field trying to propose to me – and I argued with him, BECAUSE HE WASN’T FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS.

The ring is the only ring I ever told him I wanted. Honestly, it’s been out-of-stock for months, and I had slightly lost hope that it would be available ~whenever we got around to a proposal~ Little did I know, he was hiding this exact ring, in its little velvet box, in my closet.

After another minute or so of negotiations, I finally turned around, and saw the pink Chupi box I had shown him so many times before, and knew. I honestly don’t remember what Jordan said, and neither does he. In the end, however, he finally asked me. “Will you marry me?” 

Almost since we started dating, Jordan and I have done this thing where at least once a week one of us will interrupt the other in the midst of a domestic crisis – say, folding laundry, or cleaning the kitchen, or taking out the garbage, and ask if they want to get married.

The response is always- “right now?”

– “Yeah.”

– “Not right now, I’m (fill in chore here), maybe later though?”

– “okay cool”. 

Of course, I planned to say something much more..serious, when he really asked me, but my brain wasn’t functioning at all, so my response was “Right now?” . Except, you know, this time I also said “ Yes!”

The ring is the only ring I ever told him I wanted. Honestly, it’s been out-of-stock for months, and I had slightly lost hope that it would be available ~whenever we got around to a proposal~ Little did I know, he was hiding this exact ring, in its little velvet box, in my closet. For MONTHS. (and it fit. perfectly.)

We did a champagne toast after and called all of our family – but apparently, I was the ONLY person in Northern California who didn’t know this was happening. Quite frankly, I was almost as surprised by the fact that they all managed to keep the secret as I was by the proposal. 

I always knew I wanted a Chupi Engagement ring, I hadn’t even considered any other rings – this was the one I was in love with. I didn’t need to shop around or try it on in person or anything. I completely trusted the Chupi team and their works of art, and knew this would be the piece to showcase not just our love, but our partnership.

Early in our relationship, Jordan and I spontaneously went to Ireland for a week. We had only been dating a few months, I was just coming off a serious medical situation (and the flu!) but the tickets were an incredible price….because it was January. That was one of the best, most beautiful, romantic weeks of my entire life. We wandered the streets of Dublin, got to experience the wilderness of Northern Ireland, and truly solidified our partnership. Because of that trip, Ireland will always be a special place for us, and to have my engagement ring handcrafted in that country is incredibly special to me. 

A year after we’d returned from Ireland (nearly two years ago now!) I was scrolling through my Instagram explore page when I first saw the You Me and Magic in grey diamonds, and I was in love. I never looked at another ring.

Jordan ordered the piece online, by emailing customer service, and says they helped him along quite a bit. I have a in between ring size, and he needed some help getting it ordered. 

A year after we’d returned from Ireland (nearly two years ago now!) I was scrolling through my Instagram explore page when I first saw the You Me and Magic in grey diamonds, and I was in love. I never looked at another ring. I couldn’t envision anything else to symbolise our partnership. 

I think of two things when I look at my Engagement Ring: one, that beautiful week in Ireland where I realised how serious and beautiful our relationship was, and secondly, how excited I am to spend the rest of my life exploring with a man who is not only incredibly loving, adventurous, and dedicated, but listened when I told him this was my dream ring, hahaha. 

We’re planning our wedding, but it’s still a long process yet – our goal is to get married in 2022, so we can share the day with all of our loved ones! 

Looking to take a closer look at our Engagement Ring Collection? Book a consultation with our incredible team of experts in our Dublin Store from anywhere in the world. Our jewellery consultants are available via video call to take you through our beautiful collections; whether it’s an heirloom ring, engagement ring, wedding band, or a piece to mark a special moment.

Follow Justina from A Bent Piece of Wire here.