Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Mud and Romance

I'd like to introduce you to Eva and Ryan from Calgary Alberta.  Eva and I began talking in January of this year. What a lovely woman.  I suspect she is an old soul; so thoughtful, compassionate and down to earth.  I really enjoyed our communications. 

Eva loves animals and especially loves horse back riding.  Sadly, she lives with chronic back problems and is not able to ride much anymore.  The pain she lives with doesn't appear to have dampened her spirit or her love of life.

Ryan grew up in Niagara Falls New York and one of his happy places, as Eva put it, was playing in dangerous waters.  
Ryan and Eva got in touch with us to design Touch Wood Rings which they would use as their engagement and their wedding rings.  These are the Hawaiian Koa and Birds Eye Maple wood rings David created for them.  They received them in early March.


Fast forward a few months. 
You may remember that the City of Calgary was hit with an unprecedented flood earlier this summer.  I want to let Eva tell you her engagement story in her own words. (Thanks Eva)

"It has been an interesting couple of weeks here in Calgary – because of the flood, we were evacuated on June 20th
When we were allowed to return to the house two days later, we discovered just under 5ft of water and muck in our basement. Kind of a shock when you see your washing machine floating in the basement! But in comparison to many of our neighbours both near and far, we knew we were lucky and everything that got ruined could be replaced in time. It took us a couple of days of hard work but with the help of friends – both old and new – we were able to clear out the basement and work towards getting our house back up and running (the first hot shower after 10 days was the best EVER). 
It was on the evening of June 23rd when Ryan and I, both covered in mud and having a therapeutic beer after a long day’s work, were surveying the damage that we both realized – it’s just stuff, we are OK. 
Yes, we didn’t know when we would be able to live in the house again or how extensive the damage was…but we knew we had each other and that together we’d get through the unknown obstacles ahead. 

And that’s when Ryan went down on one knee and proposed! In the mud! We are engaged! :)  

I’ve attached a photo that was taken shortly after. You can tell Ryan wasn’t wearing hip waders that day! It was one of the most authentically muddy-romantic moments of my life. As luck would have it – Ryan grabbed the wooden rings and stored them in the car when we were evacuated – so we had them right there! And they look fantastic. Thank you again for the wonderful rings. 
I thought I would share a happy flood story with you."

Eva titled this  'Our Engagement Photo'  and it just warms the cockles of my heart.   Thanks you two.

  

In the spirit of this post, may I leave you with an excerpt from a Poem 
by Mark Nepo titled "Where is God" from his newly released "Reduced to Joy"

if you want to last,
hold on to nothing. If you want
to know love, let in everything.
If you want to feel the presence
of everything, stop counting the
things that break along the way. - See more at: http://threeintentions.com/blog/#sthash.45p4NTs8.dpuf
He writes
" ... if you want to last, hold on to nothing. 
If you want to know love, let in everything.
If you want to feel the presence of everything, 
stop counting the things that break along the way."
if you want to last,
hold on to nothing. If you want
to know love, let in everything.
If you want to feel the presence
of everything, stop counting the
things that break along the way. - See more at: http://threeintentions.com/blog/#sthash.45p4NTs8.dpuf

Monday, July 29, 2013

A Touch Wood Ring proposal



Amy and David and an April proposal


"I am writing to let you and David know that (my) David gave me my engagement ring! It was a delightful surprise that I was wondering when it would happen. The ring is even more beautiful than I imagined it to be. I can't get over it!  I am tickled by how comfortable and light it is. I see what you mean on your website description:  "warmth of wood". I love the birch bark braid, inscription on the maple, and the Australian blackwood is the perfect contrast. 


Also, it fits my finger just perfectly! (my)David and I are so happy! We are getting all the little details set for our backyard wedding come October. Many thanks the world over to you and your David for your patience, hard work, and dedication to our planet." 
 


Just a few months now till Amy and David's low key full of love wedding!  
We send our dearest love and best wishes for a wonderful summer and fall leading up to their celebration.  I know I've said it before and I'll say it again ... I just think we are really lucky and blessed with the wonderful people we meet through our work.  
Thanks David. Thanks Amy.  Much love to you both !! Now and always.
 

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Commissioned and hand crafted wood wedding ring


Robert (of Pensylvania) custom designed this Grenadilla, Hawaiian Koa wood and lava rock ring to be his wedding ring.   
Below is the lovely and complimentary email Robert wrote to us after he received his commissioned Touch Wood Ring.

"You and David did an absolute amazing job taking what I was picturing in my head and making it a reality. The ring is exactly what I hoped it would be when I designed it.  Great job, we are so happy with it. 

We showed our family and several people said it was the nicest mans wedding band they have ever seen, and I agree."    

It has been very much our pleasure, Robert!  
Thank You,  and we wish you and your beloved tremendous happiness!!