PW Reader Ring: Jessica & Shea!

Jessica’s ring!

The couple: Jessica Murphy and Shea McGivney, from Wilmington.

The ring: My ring belonged to my grandmother on my mom’s side, and it features a solitaire set in white gold, flanked by two small diamonds.

My grandmother was one of the most important and influential people in my life, and when she passed away years ago, I knew that I wanted to wear this as a tribute to her. I clued my mom and dad into this so they could pass it on when the time was right … And I believe I told my fiance about it as soon as I knew he was the one! I phrased it as if he won the lottery: “Guess who doesn’t have to buy an engagement ring?”

It is so crazy how something from such a long time ago that belonged to someone else fits my style exactly. I do not wear a lot of jewelry and I prefer very simple engagement rings. That it’s vintage and has such a personal meaning makes it the perfect ring for me.  We got it cleaned and sized and it looks like a brand new ring. I am absolutely obsessed with it.

The proposal: If you had sat me down and asked me what my dream proposal would be, it would sound preposterous—and yet somehow, Shea made it happen.

I am a huge fan of the pop-punk band Say Anything. I see them whenever they are within a 60-mile radius of where I am at any given time, and so when they played at the Electric Factory this summer, Shea and I, and my brother, Matt, went to go see them. (It was actually supposed to be my brother’s birthday present, but Shea trumped it with an engagement, so I guess we owe him another one now!)

Through a gang of hopeless romantics and extremely helpful people with connections in the band scene, Shea was able to get himself on stage during the set and propose to me. He told me he was going to the bathroom, and I thought nothing of it.  Then, once I heard the lead singer, Max Bemis, say “Is there a Shea in the house?” I knew exactly what was about to happen and I was completely shocked. It was the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. I honestly didn’t know that feeling was possible. (It’s also worth noting that all of this came together in about 24 hours and was not totally finalized until 10 minutes before it happened. Shea was a nervous wreck, but I was too pumped about the concert to notice.)

Shea on stage at the Electric Factory, about to pop the question.

The band: I am going to use my grandmother’s wedding band, as well. It is the same white gold as the engagement ring, but the entire top of the band has small diamonds along it of the same size that flank the solitaire in the engagement ring. I would like to add some engraving to the inside to make it a little more personal, too. I love the sentiment behind it, but I want to make sure it represents this new relationship and journey that it will be going on!

Read other PW Reader Ring stories here. 

Wanna submit your ring? Here’s how: Show Us Your Bling! 

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