Sometimes, love is a quiet whisper, other times, a grand adventure either way, it finds you when you least expect it. Rizelle and Gian’s journey is one of serendipity, unwavering devotion, and a proposal that was years in the making.
It was a joy to be part of their story, crafting a ring as enduring as their love. Now, we invite you to relive their heartfelt journey and the beautiful moment that sealed their forever.
How did you both meet, and what were the moments that made you realize you were meant for each other?
Gian: We were in a Youth for Christ group but weren’t in the same location. I was north and she was south/central. There was a retreat one weekend that involved both locations. We both attended that weekend. We actually did not speak at all to each other that weekend but I did end up adding her friend. That friend and I started chatting and that friend sent screenshots to the girls group chat, which Rizelle was in. Rizelle thought I was hilarious and added me. I did the wave thing on Facebook messenger and the rest was history. I can’t recall any specific moment that I realised she was the one, it was more accumulation of knowing her more and seeing her values syncing up to mine and just enjoying our time together. However, if I had to choose a moment that really sticks out to me about us is that we have the same laugh and find something funny that no one else understands.
Rizelle: We met in 2018, I was in my final year of high school and he was my first boyfriend (worst time to have a boyfriend in my opinion :') ). To go back a step, we were made aware of each other's existence at a Youth For Christ camp where I was singing on the worship team. I knew his sister but had no idea she had a brother and that he was at the camp too as he's quiet and keeps to himself. Jumping ahead a bit before I go back to explain our meeting, I later rewatched a video I took where we were playing "Aahhh!" (a card game) and realised he was sitting in the circle. There is also this photo where I am playing this table game and he is in the background dabbing. I had no idea he was there. Anyway, I started adding random people from the camp because I wanted to meet new people and make friendships. My friend was sending me screenshots of her conversations with Gian and saying how funny he was (she insisted that she didn't like him when I playfully teased her). After seeing how funny he was, I added him. I had no romantic interest at that point, he just seemed like a funny guy. He then waved at me on Facebook and said "Great singing on the weekend!"... And that was the beginning of forever haha. It really wasn't flirtatious at all, I just found that he was so easy to talk to and before I knew it, I had somehow orchestrated him asking me to MY formal (after I determined he was tall enough for me in heels...). When I actually met him was in one of my free time at school. I went to school in the city and he was in Uni at the time so we used our free time dating instead of studying LOL. When did I realise he was the one? I can't pinpoint but something I remember so vividly is sitting in a lecture and being so excited that I was about to see him in my free time. Oh actually, I think the first time that I noticed I could sit in silence with him is when I realised "Oop this is special" (cause silence can be awkward)
What do you love most about each other?
Gian: I appreciate her goofiness the most. She is of course a respected and polite individual 99% of the time but when it’s just us at home she is very fun and goofy and always brightens my day.
Rizelle: I don't know how to summarise the traits in singular words, but I really like that he makes sure we talk about our feelings - both the ups and the downs. He is very empathetic and has always said to me "If I can't handle you at your worst, then I don't deserve your best". I honestly know that God brought him to me because he has softened what used to be a hard and bitter heart, and made me more open minded to others' views of the world and their feelings. Also, I've truly hit the jackpot because he LOVES cooking and on top of that I know he really enjoys cooking for me and his heart gets all aflutter when I am enjoying his food. He is always there for me and has held me tight when I've been crying so hard and he overwhelms any sadness with his love for me.
Tell us about the proposal—so romantic and full of thought!
Gian: I bought the ring two years ago and originally I was meant to propose in Japan and it would have been perfect too because we had professional photos done in Kyoto with kimono attire and it would have been slick. However she wanted a proposal with her family. Plan B was proposing at botanical gardens and I had started planting the seeds of it with some of her mates “randomly” inviting her to the gardens but she caught on to it immediately. So I waited and then we started to build a house and I thought that would be the perfect opportunity - wasn’t too cliche - I can control who goes in and when and plenty of ways to plan and hide that from her (although in the end she figured it out but whatever I tried). A year out I told her brother about it because he is a singer and guitarist and Rizelle wanted the song Obsessed by Dan and Shay to be played. I was looking all over TikTok and Pinterest for inspiration and landed on rose petals and balloons leading up to the living room with a big will you marry me balloon letters hanging. Oh and yes, I made sure she won the giveaway. It would have been really awkward if she didn't enter it.
Rizelle: My POV is pretty funny to be honest. I knew it was coming and had a feeling it was going to be on that day but I was equally surprised. It's such a shame that my brain thinks too much (when I told him and proved to him that I knew it was coming he said "STOP THINKING")...
So, I never get my nails done. An old high school friend of mine has a nail business (@_snailprince_)and she is extremely talented and skilled. She announced a giveaway some time in February and I thought it would be funny if I filmed myself explaining my hypothesis so that if I was right, I could rub it in his face. I said "I have this feeling I am going to win this giveaway, because there are two winners and I just feel like you would just have one winner, but also I HOPE I am wrong but also not because this seems really narcissistic". Then a week before the proposal I get messaged by her saying I won the giveaway and that it needs to be done by March 4th because she has "Uni". March 4th was handover day. I filmed myself again squealing because my gut was telling me yes. But then I googled Uni start dates and it literally said March 4th hahahaha so I was like 80% sure. I even started showing Gian really, really ugly nail designs with full conviction that I was going to get them to see if he would object. He didn't budge. On the day of the proposal I left work early because I wanted to visit the house with him. I called him and he said "let's just leave straight away, by the way I am dressed really nice because I know you're going to vlog the handover and I wanna look good". Alarm bells. But the best kind - cause I was like, "this bro doesn't care what he looks like in my life vlogs what the heck". I teased him when he was driving saying "I can see the box" (I couldn't) but again, he didn't break a sweat. As I walked up the driveway I still wasn't entirely sure, he was super calm. But then we walked up to the door and he was like, "YOU open the door", like he didn't even pretend to unlock it so I was like what the heck why is the door not locked. Then I got a glimpse of the decorations and my photographer friend was creeping with her camera and I was immediately in tears because of the joyful shock. Then the rest of the story is beautifully photographed.
How was your experience designing the ring with The Classic Jewellers?
Gian: Rizelle specifically wanted an opal ring and sent various reference pictures to draw from. I looked all over and wasn’t happy with the places I have been seeing. Until my friend recommended The Classic Jewellers to me because her friend works there. They had a really good selection of opal stones and were very helpful in designing the ring for me. As far as any tips goes for anyone I guess fellas do not go in blind - definitely have an idea of what your partner would like specifically the ring colour, shape and general references from them.
Rizelle: Leaving this to Gian but I always told him I wanted an opal ring as it's my birth stone and I've never just wanted a straight diamond ring as I like out-of-the-ordinary. But my tips for couples would be to talk about it (if you care what it looks like). I know every girl is different, I have a friend who wanted to pick out the ring before the guy even proposed. For me, it was very important to me to be surprised but also I knew I wanted an opal ring so I let the man know! He can't read my mind!
What are you both most excited for in this new chapter?
Gian: Getting married and growing old.
Rizelle: I just love every day of our simple lives. He is the only one I wanna spend time with most days because he is the only one who truly accepts every part of me and who I am truly my 100% self with. Yes I have my family and close friends whom I adore but I don't know. I just feel that there's a small percentage that I am hiding even with them but I love that I can sit in silence with him and that our quality time is just being vegetables while watching our favourite TV shows. I am incredibly excited to say "I do" to him and to celebrate our love with our most important people and to share children with him. I just think the whole notion of having a child with someone is such an incredible declaration of love, that you will create a person with another person - a little person that is a combination of the two of you like that is so phenomenal.
The Beginning of Forever
Rizelle and Gian’s love story is proof that sometimes, the best relationships start with laughter and a well-timed Facebook friend request. From their shared sense of humor to their heartfelt connection, every part of their journey has been filled with thoughtfulness, love, and a little bit of playful guessing along the way. Their stunning opal engagement ring is just the first of many beautiful chapters ahead, and we can’t wait to see where their love story takes them next!
Image courtesy of photographer: @Courtneypedlarphotog_
