As Bravo fans may recall, Gretchen Rossi proposed to her then-boyfriend Slade Smiley on Season 8, Episode 17, of The Real Housewives of Orange County, which aired on July 29, 2013. The proposal was dramatic and romantic, starting with a personalized song Gretchen wrote for Slade to hear while he was at his job at a radio station.
After Gretchen whisked Slade away via helicopter to the top of a building in Los Angeles, she proposed to him with a beautiful ring. Later, Slade returned the favor by gifting Gretchen an enormous diamond sparkler to mark the occasion.
“I knew that I wanted to be with this man for the rest of my life,” Gretchen told Us Weekly at the time, further detailing the massive engagement ring Slade gifted her following the proposal.
“Slade and I actually went and designed it together at Newport Jeweler, which is our family jeweler,” Gretchen shared with the outlet, showing off the large 4-carat yellow diamond. “What makes this ring really special is that it has a yellow diamond in the middle.”
Gretchen Rossi (engagement ring detail) visits Diana Madison’s “AOL LOWDOWN” on August 5, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Bezjian/WireImage) Photo: Michael Bezjian/WireImage
The ring, designed by Danny Arik for Newport Jewelers, also featured a “G” and “S” engraved on the sides, presumably for Gretchen and Slade’s names.
Gretchen Rossi (fashion detail) attends the launch of Gretchen Christine for LUXE by Lisa Vogel Swim Vignette at SwimSpot at Santa Monica Place on June 20, 2013 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/WireImage
“I wear the ‘S’ facing me because it’s the closest thing to my heart,” Gretchen told Us Weekly.
Gretchen Rossi’s push present ring
Although Gretchen and Slade have yet to tie the knot since their whirlwind engagement, their relationship is stronger than ever.
In 2019, Slade celebrated Gretchen’s baby shower for their now-4-year-old, Skylar, with an incredible push present: a 10-carat teardrop diamond ring.
“When you’re ready to give birth to our daughter, they’re gonna say, ‘Gretchen, you gotta push,’ so I thought I would pay it forward a little bit and say thank you for being the love of my life,” Slade stated during an on-camera interview with Access at the baby shower. He then pulled out the huge diamond ring.
Photo: Gretchen Rossi/Instagram
The RHOC alum shared a close-up look at the huge rock via her Instagram Stories. Impressive, to say the least!