Location, location, location.
Neil and Abby’s love story is built on timing—and on being in exactly the right place at exactly the right moment. In their case, that place just happens to be an elevator.
“I don't mean to brag, but we met in what I think is the meet-cute of all meet-cutes,” Abby said.
They first crossed paths during a work trip in Salt Lake City, sharing a 20-second conversation in a hotel elevator before heading their separate ways. End of story—or so it seemed.
“A week later, I found myself in another elevator – this time in my apartment building back in Portland. As the doors opened on the main floor, there he stood – the same man I had run into just seven days prior – on his way back from another work trip. It turns out we'd both been living in the same building for nearly a year without realizing it. After that, we went on a couple of dates, and the rest is history!”
As it turns out, Betsy & Iya was also in the right place. Abby and Neil’s apartment building sits just across the street from our Fiina showroom, and over time, the two found themselves stopping in—often with their dogs in tow—to admire engagement and wedding rings.
“We both always knew we wanted my engagement ring to be from Betsy & Iya – their jewelry is absolutely gorgeous,” Abby said. “I've always been drawn to more organic shapes, and knew I wanted a band that had a natural curve to it.”
They had talked openly about marriage, and about working with Betsy & Iya on a custom ring for Abby. But Neil still wanted the proposal itself to be a surprise—an idea Abby was more than happy to support. She loves surprises.
In August of 2025, the two headed to Mt. Hood to celebrate their two-year anniversary. Before the trip, Neil made it very clear that the ring was still not finished—and that nothing should be expected.
So Abby didn’t expect a thing.
They set out on an evening hike they’d done before, managing to get lost not once, but twice.
“I kept commenting on how slow Neil was walking. I was worried we'd miss that night's sunset, but just in time, we made it to our favorite spot: McNeil Point, which has stunning panoramic views of Mt. Hood,” Abby said. “It was at that spot where Neil proposed! I don't remember much of what he said because I'm pretty sure I blacked out, but it was perfect, despite us almost missing the sunset!”
Neil proposed with a custom Betsy & Iya engagement ring, designed in gold with an east-to-west marquise diamond—thoughtfully shaped to reflect Abby’s love of organic forms and natural curves.
“In a way, this ring feels like an ode to the places that have made me who I am. The curvature of the band reminds me of the mountains and lakes I grew up near, and the soft edges remind me to always go with the flow of life. The east-to-west marquise diamond is super unique, too, which I think is a testament to my personality!”
But the most personal detail was hidden on the inside.
“Neil is the most thoughtful human I know. He had the idea to engrave an image of two people standing in an elevator on the inside of the band to symbolize how we met and the life we've built since. It's the perfect custom addition to the ring that made it even more special than it already was.”
That engraved moment—small, hidden, deeply personal—is one of our favorite examples of modified custom. While Abby’s ring was fully custom, many couples choose to start with one of our ready-to-wear engagement or wedding bands and add something meaningful, like an engraving, to make it their own.
For Abby, Neil is her best friend and life partner, wrapped into one thoughtful, creative human. And for us, being part of their story feels like the luckiest timing of all.
“We often joke about how much time we spend together and still manage to never get sick of one another. I'm so excited for the life we'll continue to build in this next chapter.”
