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Aardvark Moments: Andre & Sylvia | Aardvark Jewellery
Welcome to Aardvark Moments, our new series celebrating the couples and stories behind our rings. This time, we’re meeting Andre and Sylvia, whose paths came close to crossing for years before a neighbour finally brought them together.
From a seven-hour phone call to a sunset proposal in Greece, here’s their story...
Tell us a little about yourselves. How did you meet, and what made you realise you’d found your person?
Andre: It’s a really funny story that actually begins long before we met. Her dad and my mum already knew each other from around 14 years ago, when my mum worked at a café and her dad used to deliver cakes there.
Years later, after I’d grown up and moved out of London, my colleague told me a pretty Portuguese lady had just moved in next door. Three months later, she said, “Here’s her number — don’t blow it!”
Our first phone call lasted just over seven hours, and I went to bed as the sun was rising. We planned a date for the following weekend, and that’s when we connected all the dots. “I know that man!” I said, pointing at a picture in her living room. I’d popped in to use the bathroom after the long drive! You can imagine our surprise. We went on our date, and here we are, planning a wedding.
Sylvia: After leaving London and moving to Essex, I’d just bought my first flat and met my new neighbour, who happened to be Portuguese like me. About three months later, she mentioned that she had a Portuguese colleague living in Buckinghamshire who she thought I’d get along with. I gave her my number and said she could pass it on.
After a very long first phone call and several more after that, we had our first date. We then realised Andre had already met my dad through his mum when he was just 14. We’d also grown up only a few roads away from each other in London for over ten years, but had never met.
I’d always believed in fate, but now I was seeing it right in front of me. We’d lived roads apart as teenagers, only to meet years later as adults after moving in opposite directions.
How did you choose the engagement ring? Was it something you selected together or a complete surprise?
Andre: Very early in our relationship, I asked Sylvia for examples of what she liked, as she wasn’t fond of the options I’d shown her. Over the next year, we kept sharing examples of rings we liked.
Then she found Aardvark on Instagram and became obsessed with quite a few of the designs, sometimes scrolling through the website for hours.
At the start of 2026, Sylvia shared some more examples from the website. There was one I particularly loved, and I knew it was the one. I decided to order it straight away and worked with the team on some small amendments, raising the setting to make it wed-fit.
What was it about the design that made you fall in love with it? Is there a particular detail or feature that makes it feel uniquely yours?
Sylvia: I’ve always loved Art Deco and 1920s-inspired styles. While I’d seen several rings on the website that I loved, this one stood out because of the shape of the stone.
I’d sent it to Andre as an example, as he’d asked me early in our relationship about the styles I liked so he could be prepared. I also love the trilogy design and its meaning: the past, present and future of a relationship.
Andre: I just thought it was a very pretty ring, and I knew she would love it.
Tell us about the proposal. Where did it happen, and what do you remember most about that moment?
Andre: Within the first six months of knowing each other, I already knew where I wanted to take Sylvia to propose. For our two-year anniversary, we went to Greece and stayed in Athens.
On our anniversary, I told her I wanted to take her to my favourite place to watch the sunset. Earlier in the trip, I’d made it seem as though I hadn’t spoken to her family yet, to throw her off so she wouldn’t expect anything. She bought it!
When we arrived at Cape Sounion, I took us down to a quiet viewpoint. While she was mesmerised by the sea, I hurried to set up the camera without her noticing. The rest is history.
Sylvia: I knew we’d spoken about getting engaged, but I was still taken by surprise. He picked the most beautiful location, with the most beautiful sunset and view. After I said yes, we watched the sunset together and then went for late-night gyros.
Why did you choose Aardvark Jewellery? What stood out about your experience with us?
Andre: After Sylvia sent me a few examples, I liked the quality of the website and the style of the rings. What really sold it to me was seeing on Instagram that Aardvark had been featured on the BBC. That gave me confidence that you were a reputable jeweller, as I wanted to be sure the ring would be as lovely in person as it looked online.
I can confirm it’s beautiful, and I couldn’t be happier.
Finally, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone searching for their perfect engagement ring?
Andre: Don’t rush it. Don’t guess, and when in doubt, ask them what styles they like — without giving it away, if you can!
Thank you, Andre and Sylvia, for sharing your story and choosing Aardvark to be part of it. We wish you every happiness as you plan your wedding and begin your next chapter together.
Have an Aardvark story to share? Whether it’s a surprise proposal, a ring you chose together or a bespoke design with a special meaning, get in touch, we’d love to feature your moment next.
