Bethlehem Handmade Jewelry and Art Gallery Announces Engagement Story Winner and Runners Up

Artfully Elegant in Bethlehem asked for the best engagement stories

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (January 13, 2016) – Artfully Elegant, a handmade jewelry and art gallery in Bethlehem, recently named the winner of its inaugural Proposal Contest, which was held over the holiday season.

Kathleen Matson, of Palmerton, won a $100 Artfully Elegant gift card for use in their store at 451 Main St., or online at www.ArtfullyElegant.com for her touching submission.

Matson and her husband, Gary, were married in 1996 after they mutually selected the same engagement ring at different times within the same store.

Matson’s story, listed in full detail below, was selected by Artfully Elegant President and CEO, Ranjeet Pawar, and Director of Operations, Erin Panner, as the best of a very poignant bunch.

“It was extremely difficult to choose,” said Panner. “We received so many great stories, it was tough to go through and pick just one, however, Kathleen’s stood out just a little bit more to us. We’re very happy to announce her as the winner.”

Stories were solicited on social media and submitted through Artfully Elegant’s website. Entries included stories that featured the Bethlehem Public Library, Lehigh University, Bethlehem’s Rose Garden, the movie “Back to the Future” and many more.

Runners’ up were Samantha Kleinrock of Bethlehem and Dan Maher of Bethlehem, respectively. Their stories can be found at this link: http://ow.ly/X0g3j

Kathleen Matson’s submission:

“In January of 1996 Gary suddenly lost his wife of 30 years after a heart surgery. He spent a lot of his day mourning her loss. His daughter Nicole and I were friends and she invited me to go with her to cook meals, hang out, go out, etc.

“(Gary and I) became friends too. In April, we went on a date and began spending more time together. In June, Gary asked my father for permission to propose. In July, he learned he would need heart surgery.

“He procured a beautiful ring and told me the line from “When Harry Met Sally” (my favorite movie) ‘When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want that to start as soon as possible.’

“It was no fancy location, his kitchen in Bucks County, but he got down on one knee and proposed. Of course, I said, ‘Yes.’ During his surgery recovery, we picked invitations, venues, caterers, and set the date for December 7. After he left the hospital we went to pick wedding bands.

“We each went to a different side of the store. We both met in the middle and said, ‘I found the perfect ring.’ He asked me to take him to my selection first. He looked and said it was nice.

“Then we were off to see his selection. He took my hand and led me across the store to another jewelry counter and pointed to his selection. It was the exact same ring. Just another sign we were meant to be.

“Along the way to our wedding we encountered the naysayers who thought he was too old or I was too young, he didn’t wait long enough, and other reasons why we shouldn’t marry. On December 7, 1996 we did marry and this Monday celebrated 19 happy years together. No fancy location but a genuine heart-felt proposal that led to a long and happy marriage.”

 

About Artfully Elegant

While Artfully Elegant’s primary focus may be jewelry, the gallery also features unique and inspired home décor options as well. Artfully Elegant provides a wide variety of features and services that enable customers to buy handmade jewelry and handcrafted artworks on the website safely, securely and conveniently. And perhaps most importantly, Artfully Elegant is an art gallery with an actual brick and mortar location at 451 Main Street in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. So whether you visit us online, or in our Historic Downtown Bethlehem location…Artfully Elegant promises to treat you with the finest of customer service.

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Media Contact:

George Wacker

george@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com

484-554-2234