Charlie and Chloe's love story began in the most unexpected way – a chance encounter on social media. Since then their journey has taken them from sixth form sweethearts to soulmates, and Charlie recently took things to another level by proposing! Today we caught up with Charlie to find out more about his and Chloe's beautiful love story, the details behind the proposal and why he chose to pop the question with our gorgeous Serephina ring.
How did you meet?
Back in 2012 one of my friends added 200 random people on my social media. As I was going through deleting them all I noticed Chloe, I clicked on her page and realised we went to the same sixth form. We talked online for a while, whilst smiling at each other in the common room. One day we decided both to talk in person, and we snuck out of school and walked to the shops at lunch - the rest is history!
How long have you been together? Tell us your story!
We've been together for 12 years, we met online when we were both 16 (now 29). We fell madly in love at school, and would get told off for kissing in the hallways. So much has happened in the 12 years it's hard to write it all down! We've been travelling through Asia together, which was where my fiancée decided she wanted to do her nursing degree. When we came back we moved in together (for the first time) and moved to Bristol in September 2019. By March 2020 lockdown happened, and although it was the worst time, it was also the best time - we got to spend every day together; go on bike rides (when we were allowed to), decorate all of our furniture, countless lockdown quiz's created and shared with each family.
We ended up moving back to Gloucester and into my mum's house whilst we tried to find a house together. We ended up taking the leap and moving out together into a rented house. A year or so later we got our rescue dog (Lady) who has changed our lives completely - we are both obsessed! She's turned us into a little family. I always had an 'ideal' plan to propose which was to take her to her favourite place (Kalami, Greece) & propose at the end of the jetty whilst her parents were there - it was a bit of a pipe dream. Suddenly I found myself with enough money to pay for us both, her mum & dad and also my mum to fly out secretly halfway through our holiday!
I saw the Serephina ring on Ethica's website about a year before I proposed, I instantly knew it was the one. After a few months planning (and secret keeping), we got engaged, whilst our parents watched with other knowing. It was by far the best thing I've ever done in my life!
When did you know you wanted to propose?
For the first few years I wasn't too fussed about marriage, never have been. A few more years later I started to want to get married, I always knew if I were to ever marry it would be to Chlo. One day whilst travelling (somewhere in Thailand), we were listening to a band in the street, drinking, chatting and singing - I looked at her and in that moment I knew I was 100% going to marry her, and I was going to do everything I can to make my ideal plan come to fruition.
Why did you choose Ethica Diamonds?
I've always been big on ethics and the environment. If I'm honest, I'd not heard of Ethica before, I googled "ethical engagement rings" and stumbled onto Ethica. Read their story and knew it was meant to be. I've always had family holidays in Cornwall, I love that you are female led, and I love everything you stand for. I scrolled through your diamond engagement rings and found the Serephina, as soon as I saw it I knew it was the one (and that I had to start saving!)
What made you choose your chosen ring/jewellery piece and how did you find the ring purchasing process?
I like to think I know my fiancées style after 12 years together, and I just saw the Serephina and knew instantly that was the ring I was going to propose with. The process was great, I spoke with Olivia about 10 months before I actually purchased it. Olivia was so helpful, so insightful and just a lovely person.
The whole finding, buying, panicking, receiving & even aftercare has been the best I've ever had. Thank you!
How did you propose and how did it go?!
I treated my fiancée to a week-long holiday to our favourite place (we went there 7 years ago, Kalami in Greece), it was Sunday - Sunday. I also arranged for both her parents and my mum to secretly fly out on Wednesday. I booked us a boat trip to keep us off the beach for the day while they arrived. We were going for a fancy meal to celebrate the holiday, and I suggested we go out onto the jetty and take some nice pictures while we were dressed up.
The parents hid down the beach whilst we walked out onto the jetty. We took some photos, when I told her I'd written her a letter. I read the letter, proposed and said "I know you've always wanted your parents to be there when you get engaged, but we are also in this amazing place. But also, they are standing just over there".
To say she was surprised is an understatement, but it was all planned down to the minute! We then all hugged and chatted. I'd etched a message into an old wooden block to my dad (who sadly died when I was 26), to tell him the news, and then throw it into the sea. Everything went perfectly, and I just can't get over how magical it was. I was also wearing one of my dads shirts (white linen with thin blue stripes) which was super important to me.
Was she surprised?
She was over the moon - I think she was really hoping to get engaged, but never expected me to have brought our parents along. We have such a close relationship with our parents, it was just so amazing to have shared that with them. Our parents haven't spent much time together, so it could have been a risk having the remaining 3 days all together on holiday, but we all got on so well, had so much fun, relaxed, explored, drank and ate. It was perfect.
Have you started wedding planning yet?
Not properly, we want to try for a baby first. We want to have a small wedding (family and a couple friends each). And then to have an evening do with a few more friends, a nice small wedding with our most important people. We would rather spend the money on a honeymoon!
Congratulations, Chloe and Charlie! We at Ethica Diamonds are so thrilled to be a part of your love story and wish you a lifetime of happiness together.
