Sydney Engagement Ring Love Stories 2025
Luke & Michaela's 12-Year Love Story
Sometimes the most beautiful love stories begin with the simplest moments. For Luke and Michaela, it all started with a curious question in a high school maths classroom that sparked a connection that would still be there over a decade later. Their journey from teenage sweethearts to married couple is one of patience and deep understanding. It is worn on Michaela’s left hand in all its meaning and charm, as a custom engagement ring that beautifully weaves together Celtic heritage and infinite love.
Photos by: https://www.seenbyyouphotography.com/
How They Met
In an after-school maths classroom, fate brought two young hearts together in the most unexpected way.
Michaela, being the curious person she is, questioned why Luke was working on a computer rather than pen and paper like everyone else.
"And then it all just started from there." Who would have thought they'd just met the love of their lives?
Luke's boldness surprised everyone, including himself. "I asked her out in between two of her good guy mates," he admits with a grin. "But now she's stuck with me."
"He was pretty bold for a high schooler," Michaela laughs, "but now he's stuck with me too."
Building a Foundation of Love
Their relationship was a slow burn, marked by careful consideration of each other's needs.
What followed was 12 years of building something beautiful together. Luke and Michaela's approach to love has been refreshingly thoughtful - they bought a home, travelled the world, welcomed a beloved dog into their lives, and truly got to know each other's hearts.
For Michaela, this careful approach wasn't frustrating - it was wise. "I think it's good to think these things through, because I don't feel like people take marriage as seriously as they should. You have to go through that process of getting to know that person, living with each other, travelling together, to test each other out before making such a big commitment."
Their engagement itself lasted two to three years before they set a wedding date—a testament to their belief that the best things in life are worth waiting for.
A Moonlit Proposal in the Blue Mountains
When Luke finally felt ready to propose, he chose a location that held the essence of their entire love story. Under a clear, starlit sky at a Blue Mountains lookout, he got down on one knee at the very spot where they'd taken their first car trip together as a young couple.
"It's the first place he kind of took me when we first started going out," Michaela shares, her eyes sparkling with the memory. The proposal almost didn't happen there - Luke had planned something entirely different before COVID changed everything. "He had a whole plan for an engagement, and then COVID kind of ruined it all. So we thought we'd just go back to our roots."
Luke had been carrying the ring through the entire lockdown period, waiting for the perfect moment. "I had the ring all through COVID, but I didn't want to do it while we were all in lockdown."
There was just one tiny problem with his attempt at secrecy. "I feel like I knew when he had the ring," Michaela confesses with a knowing laugh. "Just his body language, I just knew. He thinks he can keep a secret, but he's hopeless - at least from me!"
True to form, the moment after Luke popped the question, Michaela lovingly told him she'd been expecting it for ages.
Designing Something Truly Unique
While Michaela may have suspected the proposal was coming, Luke managed to keep the most essential element completely secret - the ring design itself.
Working closely with Kelly at York Jewellers in Penrith, Luke poured his heart into creating something that would tell their story. The ring he designed was a masterpiece of personal meaning: a two-tone rose gold creation featuring a Celtic triangle representing his family heritage, intertwined with infinity symbols that captured Michaela's soul.
"It caught me by surprise, because he designed it from his heart and what he knows about me," Michaela recalls, still moved by the thoughtfulness. "For me, it was nice to know that the ring I was getting represented both me and Luke. I'd never seen a two-tone ring like this before."
Wedding Bands with Family Heritage
When it came time for wedding bands, the couple returned to York Jewellers to work with Alex, ensuring their rings would perfectly complement the unique engagement ring.
"We designed the rings around the engagement ring, because it's so unique that I needed something specific to lock in place," Michaela explains. "We decided to get both made at the same time to encompass the ring as one cohesive piece."
Luke's wedding ring became particularly special, featuring the Callaghan family crest engraved with exquisite detail. He kept this surprise even from his own family until the wedding day itself.
"Watching my dad's jaw just drop because it was the Callaghan family crest - he was not expecting anything like that," Luke recalls proudly. The family connection grew even deeper when his father crafted matching storage boxes with the same family crest, creating a beautiful loving harmony of family tradition and new beginnings.
The York Jewellers Experience
Both Luke and Michaela speak with genuine warmth about their experience with the York Jewellers team.
"We felt completely comfortable, and they listened to our ideas," Michaela reflects. "They incorporated Luke's family heritage and our personalities - we're kind of old-fashioned, I guess, for a younger couple. Luke's ring has that antique look, and you don't see many young men wear signet rings."
Luke, who admits to being "quite difficult" and "very precise" about his vision, found the team handled his exacting standards with grace and expertise. "They help you get to the ring that you want, not a ring that's just sold to you."
The connection runs deeper than just their rings. "My family's always gone to York Jewellers for jewellery purchases, or if we've got family heirlooms we want to redesign," Michaela adds. "You get very one-on-one consulting, the quality is there, and even the packaging itself is always beautiful."
A Love Story Worth the Wait
Now married, Luke and Michaela reflect on their wedding day as everything they'd ever dreamed of - "very quaint and small, but perfect for what we wanted," as Michaela puts it.
Their advice for other couples embarking on their ring journey? "100% I would say, just if you've got any designs in mind or you're unsure, they're the best people to talk to," Luke recommends warmly.
From that curious question in a high school maths classroom to custom Celtic-inspired wedding rings, Luke and Michaela's story proves that the most beautiful love stories are built on patience, understanding, and the courage to create something uniquely your own.
Ready to create your own love story with a custom engagement ring? Visit York Jewellers in Penrith or Warriewood Square, or explore our bespoke design services online. With over 50 years of experience, we'll help you design a ring as unique as your love story.
Bobby & Shae’s Green Sapphire Love Story, Crafted with York Jewellers
Every engagement ring tells a story, a unique chapter in a couple's journey. We’re privileged to witness and contribute to these beautiful narratives at York Jewellers. Today, we're delighted to share the heartwarming story of Bobby and Shae, whose path to "I do" began with a swipe right and culminated in a truly one-of-a-kind ring.
A Modern Meet-Cute and a Long-Distance Leap
Bobby and Shae’s story began a couple of years ago on Hinge. "Well, what was really cheeky about it," Shae explains, "was that Bobby was still living in Melbourne, but he was planning on moving up for work." After connecting and talking for a few weeks, Bobby invited Shae to Melbourne for their first date – an exciting leap of faith!
Their connection was undeniable, leading to nightly three-hour phone calls. Bobby laughs, "With how Shae talks, it was cheaper for me to fly down and meet face to face than pay for the three-hour phone calls we were doing every night!" They navigated about six months of long-distance while Bobby was coaching footy in Melbourne before finally living together for 18 months, building their lives side-by-side.
A Furry Assistant and a Friday Afternoon Surprise
Regarding the proposal, Bobby admits the ring was "burning a hole in my pocket." The moment happened spontaneously on a Friday afternoon while both worked from home. Shae recalls, "We just came out and it was like, 'Oh, Buddy's [their dog] been back in my office. He's been chewing on crap again.' I'm like, 'What has he been chewing on now?'"
That’s when Bobby made his move. "And then he pulled out the ring box and said he's been chewing on this," Shae smiles. Bobby got down on one knee, with Buddy just watching." An adorable and perfectly private proposal.
Crafting a Masterpiece: The Quest for the Perfect Green Sapphire
Bobby had a little help creating the perfect symbol of their unique bond. "I had a bit of help from Shae's twin sister, Taryn, who put me in touch with York and Doug, who ultimately made the masterpiece," he shares.
Working closely with Douglas Ely, Bobby embarked on a bespoke design journey. "I worked with Doug to make some bespoke designs and create something unique." While acknowledging the process can be "an anxious one for the guy getting down on one knee to want to get it just right," Bobby felt fully supported. "Doug guided me throughout the whole journey... it felt really collaborative. Like ideas were going back and forth, and I'm grateful for Doug's work and finding the perfect stone, which I know can be difficult."
A Dream Ring and a Resounding "Yes!"
The result of this thoughtful collaboration left Shae speechless. "I was just so taken away by how beautiful it was, and it ticked all the things I could have ever wanted in a ring. So I'm very lucky," she gushes.
Bobby’s efforts, guided by the expertise at York Jewellers, truly paid off. "Yeah, he did a fantastic job, and like the end product speaks for itself, I think," Shae beams. "It's so special. I love it. It's perfect."
Bobby and Shae’s story is a beautiful reminder that love can be found in unexpected places and that the most meaningful symbols are those crafted with personal intention and care. The team at York Jewellers was honoured to help bring Bobby’s vision for Shae’s dream green sapphire ring to life.
Are you inspired to create your unique symbol of love? Contact York Jewellers today to start designing a piece as special as your story.
