From sneaky custom engagement rings to starting a beautiful family, Rachael and Chelsey are no strangers to the SK family. This week we’re featuring this endearing and kind couple that we have had the pleasure of not only working with but also getting to know as the years have gone on.
We are honored to be a part of their special story, not only from the beginning of a beautiful chapter (hello, wedding rings!) but to continue to be a part of their journey for important life events as they come (like babies!!). Read on for Rachael and Chelsey’s tale of love.
Names: Chelsey Bawot & Rachael Caine
Current location: Los Angeles
Wedding date + location: Eastern Shore, MD September 10, 2016
How did you lovebirds meet?: College! Mutual friends introduced us at a party at Rachael’s house in October of 2005.
The proposal – please tell us the story!:
The day before Chelsey proposed she took Rach on an epic LA adventure to celebrate their dating anniversary – hikes and wine and presents and an amazing dinner out. The next morning, she woke Rach up with an unusual amount of morning enthusiasm. Over breakfast she said, I have one more present and slid across the table a book of photos of their 8 years together, the last page was a note that said “Will you marry me” and then placed the STUNNING ring in front of Rachael. The rest was history! (And the beginning of many more Sofia rings.)
When did you know that your significant other was the one?:
Rach knew Chels was the one on a wine trip with friends up in Napa. The day was just too good, and we had been through so much. Just being together, driving through vineyards she knew she wanted to be by Chelsey’s side forever.
Chelsey knew when they had been dating long distance for a while (and it wasn’t easy). Chels was in LA, Rach was in SF and Chelsey thought if they really want to give this relationship a fair chance they needed to live in the same city. So she moved to SF, blowing Rachael’s mind. As soon as that decision was made, Chelsey knew she wanted to be with Rach forever.
What is your favorite thing about your significant other?:
Rachael: So hard to pick one! Chelsey is unconditionally loving in the most beautiful way.
Chelsey: Rachael is the world’s greatest hype-woman. Anything from encouraging friends about their careers to telling me how amazing the dinner I cooked was – it is uncanny how effortlessly she can make someone feel good about something.
What has COVID taught you about each other/relationships? Did you learn anything about your SO?
We were actually shocked at how much we loved spending so much time together. Rach was pregnant during COVID so, at a time when things were heightened with all the challenges, we were genuinely surprised to learn how much we loved doing the basics of the day-to-day together, over and over and over again. Cooking meals, watching movies, swimming outside, going for walks, managing the challenges of pregnancy and isolation, we really loved being a team.
Rachael, Chelsey and their twins!
What’s your go-to date night idea?:
Pre-covid our go-to date was going to the Largo (in LA) to see music or a comedy show. These days it’s a walk on the beach or dinner outside.
Let’s talk jewels – how did you choose your ring(s)?! Did you pick it/them out/design it together or separately? Do you looove? Give us all the deets.
Chelsey walked into Sofia’s store when it was still on Abbot Kinney and immediately fell in love with Sofia’s jewelry and her energy. Over the course of many months she made up lots of fake reasons why she was leaving the house, and a fake email address that Rach didn’t know about so she could secretly design an engagement ring with Sofia. It was hands down the best experience she’d ever had when it came to any jewelry. (I would also like to mention that Chelsey has never really cared about jewelry so much, and she LOVED going through the design process with Sofia; she was so patient and thoughtful and taught her a ton about diamonds along the way). After Rach got her ring and listened to Chelsey talk all about her experience, she went to Sofia to design an engagement ring for Chelsey, and then we went back together to design our wedding rings.
Rachael’s custom Emerald Cut engagement ring and accompanying rings: Stardust Three Baguette Ring + Claudette Emerald Cut Band.
Chelsey’s custom bands.
We know you both are not strangers to the world of SK – what other pieces have you collected throughout the years on this love story journey? Did they signify any special times in your lives?
We have gotten our engagement rings, wedding rings, and when Rach had our twins we got her a Stardust Three Baguette Ring and I added an additional diamond triangle to my Cracked Band to signify the twins 😉
What was your wedding like? What did you love the most about your wedding?
Our wedding was the best! It was outside, on the water, with all of our favorite people and ended with an epic (very sweaty) dance party that we talk about to this day.
Alright – so what does the future hold for the two of you?!
We had two beautiful twin daughters in 2021 – they are silly and fun and just the most spectacular thing we’ve done together yet. So hopefully the future holds a fridge proudly displaying masterful pre-school finger paintings and Saturday mornings booked with soccer games so early we’ll have forgotten they even happened.
Rachael and a sweet Sloane while paying a visit to the SK showroom!
Finally, if you could add any piece to your SKFJ collection, which one would it be?
For Rach, her eyes are always on the rings! Specifically, the Vintage Inspired Turquoise and Diamond Stacking Ring, Orange Blossom Ring, Tiniest Diamond Eternity Band, and The Essential Band!
For Chelsey, it would be the Vintage Inspired Turquoise and Diamond Stacking Ring as well 😉
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Do you have an engaging story to share of how you met your love? Stop by here and share for your chance to be the next featured SK Love Story!
