Q: Tell us about yourself. How did you meet?
A: I’m Collin, originally from Colorado and was living in Denver when I met Kelsey. I’m Kelsey, from Wisconsin but was living in Houston at the time. We met at our mutual best friend’s wedding in Napa Valley—arguably the most romantic setting to meet someone. Kelsey already knew all the groomsmen except one: Collin. So, she made it her mission that night to get to know him. Collin was instantly captivated—he thought Kelsey was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen and was drawn to her bubbly personality. We spent the entire evening talking and dancing, and quickly realized how much we had in common. From there, things moved fast: we spent a year and a half navigating long distance between Texas and Colorado. Then, we took a leap and moved across the country together with our dog, Koda. We settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where we have had a blast building our life together over the past year.
Q: How did the proposal happen?
A: This story is a funny one! Collin had planned a picture-perfect proposal during a hiking trip in the French Alps. The idea was to pop the question during a romantic walk through a park after a day of hiking. But, as with all great stories, nothing went exactly as planned. The hike took much longer than expected, and by the time we reached the end, Kelsey was feeling queasy after a winding bus ride back to our chalet. Pressed for time, Collin suspiciously managed to convince her to rally, shower, and head out for a “casual” evening walk. He led her to a charming park where he had originally planned to propose… only to find it completely fenced off for construction. Thinking on his feet, Collin walked us a bit further—only to have the surprise photographer he’d hired accidentally blow his cover by introducing himself before the proposal happened. After a few detours and a lot of improvising, Collin finally began expressing his love and dropped to one knee in front of a stunning mountain backdrop. Kelsey’s sister, who had been hiding nearby, popped out to celebrate and record the moment. Shortly after, the rest of our hiking group joined us with some champagne, and the night of celebrations began!
The one thing that did go as planned? Kelsey said yes!
Q: Was there any special meaning behind the way the proposal was planned?
A: The proposal was thoughtfully planned around two of our favorite shared hobbies: traveling and hiking. Collin chose a beautiful mountain village in Italy as the spot to pop the question while we were hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc. To make the moment even more special, he booked a luxurious 5-star hotel for the night—a relaxing reward in the middle of a very sweaty trek! It was also important to include someone close to Kelsey: her sister, who lives in London. Proposing in Europe made it possible for her to be there in person, which added so much meaning to the moment. Finally, we capped it all off by celebrating with our hiking group—nine of our close friends. It was truly a night to remember!
Q: How did you choose the ring?
A: Kelsey’s engagement ring carries a lot of meaning. Her grandmother graciously gifted her a gold pendant with a diamond at the center, and Collin used that heirloom diamond as the centerpiece of the ring—knowing how special it would be to Kelsey. To make sure the design was just right, Collin enlisted the help of two trustworthy people: his sister and Kelsey’s sister. He knew Kelsey wanted something simple yet timeless: a classic gold band with a personal touch. And he delivered!
Q: What does this moment represent to you?
A: This moment means the world to us—it marks the beginning of our next chapter together. The ring holds deep significance for many reasons. First, it represents Collin’s unconditional love for Kelsey. It also symbolizes the union of our two families—both literally and figuratively. The diamond belonged to Kelsey’s grandmother, who is no longer with us, and Collin’s sister, Dianne, played a key role in helping design the ring. Because of that, the ring isn’t just a piece of jewelry—it’s a meaningful tribute to the people we love and the life we’re building together. Finally, in Collin’s words, “it means I get to spend the rest of my life with Kelsey”—and we can’t wait for all that’s to come!
Q: What does your ring mean to you both, and how did it feel seeing it for the first time?
A: We are so thankful to our families for their love and support, and we’re especially grateful to Dianne and the entire Kinn team for helping Collin design the perfect ring. This ring will forever be a symbol of our love, our families coming together, and the beautiful journey we’re about to embark on. We feel incredibly lucky and can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter!