When She Said Yes: Donna and Lee

This month's When She Said Yes Collection: Featuring Joint Venture Jewelry Owners Donna and Lee Hankin. Check out how Lee popped the big question:

Ours was not a typical proposal. Times were tough and money was tight, but I had found the woman I wanted to marry. At first I thought it was a long shot of us actually getting together but after realizing we had so much in common, including we were born at the same hospital, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. During the summer of 1983, while on vacation with my family, we stayed at a family-oriented resort. It was on that trip that I realized I wanted a family of my own and Donna was the key to obtaining it

I came across an antique store that sold jewelry. I spotted a black and white, 10k white gold pearl ring. The cost was $65 and back then it was even hard to spend that amount of money. I decided this would be my pre-engagement ring. If she accepted this ring, we would be engaged and I would start saving for a diamond. As soon as I got home from the trip, I just couldn’t wait to make Donna my wife.

I drove straight to her apartment and presented her with the ring. Her only reaction was, “I knew it,” then proceeded to put the ring on her finger. It wasn’t until the fall of that year that I finally gave her a marquise diamond ring. Since then, Donna has been through four upgrades in 27 short years. It’s a good thing we own Joint Venture Jewelry. My only hope now is that she doesn’t decide to upgrade me to a newer model!   --Lee Hankin  

 

Did you have a pre-engagement ring too? Or have a similar story? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts. Are you already engaged or married with your special, one-of-a-kind Joint Venture ring? Was your proposal funny? Romantic? Exciting? Or just perfect? Please share your story with us– we would love to add it to the collection. Please email stories to jenhankin@jointventurejewelry.com.