Stories from our customers: Christine and Mark
Written by Vicky on Oct. 20, 2025 | 0 Comments
Behind every enquiry...
When Mark first got in contact with us, back in May 2024, I had no idea that this would be part of one of my favorite love stories during my time here with My Irish Jeweler!
Mark inquired about our beautiful Trinity knot diamond solitaire engagement ring, which he was interested in purchasing, and, as many people do, wondered about the lead times for production and dispatch. I passed on the relevant information and honestly didn't think much more about it.
Mark purchased the ring, and having let us know he had received it and was delighted with it, we heard no more until July, when we received a a very happy message!
The Proposal.
"I just wanted to say thank you so very much for creating the perfect engagement ring for us. We're finally back home in the States after an amazing 17 days in Ireland! The country & our time there was beautiful, which made it hard to pick the perfect time & place to propose. Instead of the church where her great-great-grandparents were married, I instead asked her for her hand at St. Brigid's Well in Brideswell Big, Askamore, in county Wexford. She said yes, loves the ring.
It was such a pleasure dealing with all of you & you made the process very easy!"
She said yes! A newly-engaged Mark and Christine.
Photo Credit: M. Sands
When I replied with our excited congratulations, another treat was in store for me! Christine replied to my message and explained her background, and the reason for an Irish engagement ring became clear.
A Very Irish Engagement!
"I studied at St. Pat’s Teacher Training College in Drumcondra in the '90s. I was born and raised here in Rochester, NY, where my great-great-grandparents, (Michael and Mary, emigrated to in 1872. I was raised knowing I was Irish, and in college, I wanted to visit the land my family came from. Long story short…with my great, great grandfather’s obituary, a photo of my great great grandparents and a night class at UCD on how to research your Irish family history (pre-internet and Ancestry.com), I was able to secure their marriage certificate from 1872 in Dublin. That led me to the church they were married in, which led me, ultimately, to meeting my family and going to the home my great-great-grandparents had left those many years ago. To say I was overwhelmed was an understatement. Since then, I have continued to unravel the story of my family’s history, explore the area I am from, meet more relatives, etc.
Ireland is very much a part of me and Mark knows that. The fact he had you craft a gorgeous engagement ring for me means more than you know. St. Brigid’s Well is very special to me as it sits on my family’s land. It was the perfect place to get engaged. There were so many beautiful signs…it was simply magical."
The atmospheric St Brigid's well at Brideswell Big, Askamore, Co. Wexford.
Photo Credit: M. Sands
Wedding Rings.
Christine and I corresponded further when she was considering a wedding band to match her engagement ring, and her emails revealed a warm-hearted, thoughtful, and considerate woman who was deeply smitten with her ring and, more importantly, her fiancé! She made it clear that she wanted something to complement her solitaire, so that it would still be the star of the show. We discussed numerous variations and exchanged many images with ideas. In the end, Christine found her wedding ring with another jeweller, but her final decision was entirely in keeping with her pride in Mark's perfect choice for her. It suits her beautifully!
Mark and Christine got back in touch with us earlier this year to purchase Mark's wedding band. Thankfully, we had just what he wanted, and in the right size too! He chose the 10mm Ardagh Chalice band - a bold and intricate design to mark the start of a bright new chapter in his life. We knew he had his eye on it, and were thrilled to ship it to him, knowing he'd wear it well!
Small symbols of a life-changing love.
Photo Credit: M. Sands
The Big Day.
On the 26th of July, I found the following picture in our inbox, and honestly, my desk must have been dusty or something because I choked up and there was definitely something in my eye... It caught me on the hop, which is one of our Irish ways of saying I was unprepared!
Just look at these two!
Photo Credit: Mark Sands
I think I sent a very wordy reply, thanking them both for making my day, and some time later, with the generosity he has shown throughout all his interactions with My Irish Jeweler, Mark sent the following email. It absolutely glows with the love he shares with Christine, and, as with the other communication, he has permitted me to share it here. More importantly, he tells their story much better than I can.
From Mark.
Hi Vicky! I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. But we’ve just had an extremely busy summer. We actually hosted a wedding reception & work friends wedding BBQ the two weeks after our ceremony. Lots of work, but I don’t know anyone who could pull off three separate celebrations of our love for each other.
A little over four years ago, I met someone who reminded me that second chances aren’t just possible—they’re powerful. We met on a unique dating app that connected people through Facebook friends in common. By chance—or maybe fate—the link between us was my son’s babysitter, who also happened to be Christine’s former neighbor. Without her, our paths may never have crossed.
From the very beginning, our conversations felt different. I’d never met anyone who valued family, tradition, and history as deeply as I did—until Christine. Her devotion to her son mirrored mine to my own. Family wasn’t just important to us; it was the center of our lives.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we agreed to meet for coffee. I can still picture her ordering her drink that day—I knew in that very moment I had found the person I was meant to be with. That first date gave us not only unforgettable coffee, but also a first kiss I’ll never forget.
Both of us had weathered difficult divorces, and at our stage in life, the dating world could feel daunting. But it’s clear now that we were each holding out for that exact moment in time.
Fast forward four and a half years, and here we are.
Fast forward, and I found myself proposing to my beautiful Irish girlfriend… in Ireland… with one of your stunning rings.
And just this past week, I stood before everyone who means the world to us as she placed your wedding band on my hand.
Together, we’ve built a life rooted in history and family—the lessons of those who came before us, the traditions that shaped us, and the love we hope to pass on. We’re not perfect, but we try to treat each day as a gift, never taking a single moment for granted.
We both feel blessed to have been given a second chance at love and at life. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that faith, patience, and hope can carry you through the hardest paths. Add in a little Irish luck, and sometimes—just sometimes—you really do find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Without your amazing engagement ring, me proposing on the Emerald Isle, this story would’ve never reached this chapter. From both of us, thank you for helping us to write the best story, our story.
Your craftsmanship—your art—has been more than jewelry. It’s been a symbol of hope, healing, and the kind of love that only comes once you’ve truly learned what matters. You’ve gone above and beyond for us, and we’ll never forget it.
Together.
Photo Credit: Mark Sands
Comhgairdeas!
Our congratulations to Christine and Mark - we're so delighted for you both, and deeply honoured to have been a tiny part of the history you now share! Our customers are why we do what we do, and it has been a pleasure to hear your updates and your thoughts. We are a sentimental bunch here at My Irish Jeweler, and we see the power and preciousness of second chances, and the happiness they bring. Thank you for allowing us to share yours with our community!
Get In Touch
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Vicky
My Irish Jeweler
My Welsh grandmother introduced me to two of my great loves in life before I was four years of age: she taught me to read and, under careful supervision, permitted me to look through her jewelry box. Stories and shiny things have been my passions ever since!
In the forty years I have lived here, Ireland has changed dramatically in virtually every aspect. Among its constants, though, is a rich tradition of decorative adornment and storytelling in all its forms: from the ancient carvings at Newgrange, the beautiful golden torcs in the National Museum, and the world-famous Book of Kells, to our modern designers, writers, musicians, and craftspeople. Celtic creativity is more powerful today than ever, and that is why it's my honor to share our stories and witness yours.
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