A 5th Date in Africa Led to a Custom Engagement Ring

A Love Story That Began in Africa

Natasha Gabbayan, 29, and Josh Banayan, 36, have been together since their unforgettable trip to Africa in 2023. Their journey started with a series of dates that didn’t immediately spark love, but something about the connection between them was undeniable. Rather than rushing into anything, Banayan decided to take Gabbayan on a trip to Cape Town for the wedding of a childhood friend. She said yes, and what followed was a five-day experience that changed their lives forever.

“We fell in love in Africa,” Banayan, a business owner, told Business HAWXTECH. “It was a crazy, five-day experience.” The couple danced, explored the region, and even went on a safari in Namibia. Interestingly, they weren’t the only couple on the trip. Three others were celebrating their honeymoons, and one was even proposing. For Banayan and Gabbayan, it was their first time being together, but the moment felt destined.

Since then, the couple has continued to build their relationship, and now they’re preparing for their own engagement. Banayan’s proposal was as thoughtful as the journey they’ve shared. He designed an engagement ring that symbolizes their love story, drawing inspiration from their trip to Africa and their unique bond.

Planning the Perfect Proposal

Banayan had a plan in place long before the big day. Earlier this year, he scheduled weekly dinner reservations at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, where the couple had their first date. They called these special evenings “Tower Tuesdays.” Each week, Banayan would arrive early, order drinks, and treat the evening like their first date.

Gabbayan, who describes her partner as a “big planner,” never suspected the recurring dinners were part of a larger scheme. But when she arrived one Tuesday in June and was led to a private suite, she knew something was different. Her heart raced, and she almost blacked out from excitement.

Inside, a violinist played Gabbayan’s favorite songs as Banayan gave a five-minute speech. Though she doesn’t remember the details, she knows she said yes when he asked her to marry him. The evening continued with a private dinner featuring the same dishes they had on their first date, including pigs in a blanket.

The couple also wore matching pajamas, filmed family videos using Banayan’s childhood camcorder, and signed a bottle of Blue Label scotch—something they hope to share with their future children.

A Unique Ring with Deep Meaning

Banayan kept his proposal a secret, even from his parents. He called them two hours before the event and asked Gabbayan’s father for permission to marry her. He also handled the design of the engagement ring himself, believing that a man should know exactly what his future wife wants without needing hints.

“I have this philosophy that a man, if he's asking a woman to marry him, should know exactly what ring she wants,” Banayan said. “He shouldn't have to take hints or have the girl tell him.”

Gabbayan, who owns a vintage clothing brand, admitted she was nervous about giving up creative control. “I want to say I had faith, but I didn’t have that much faith,” she said.

But Banayan did his research. He spent months observing Gabbayan’s personal style and the jewelry accounts she followed on Instagram. His final design featured two gold bands representing their teamwork, with their birthstones—a ruby and an aquamarine—hidden inside the band. A vintage-inspired cushion-cut diamond sat on top.

“When I'm looking at her rock, her birthstone on the bottom is facing me because she always comes first,” Banayan explained. “And when she's looking at her ring, my stone is facing her because I always come first to her.”

The ring was crafted by Banayan’s childhood friend, who now works in the diamond industry. The same friend had gotten married in Africa, which brought the couple together.

A Symbol of Love and Commitment

Gabbayan described the ring as “exactly what I like” and said Banayan “hit it right on the nail” without her realizing it was something she wanted. She can’t imagine finding a better way to represent their love story.

With a ring on her hand and a wedding to plan, Gabbayan said she wakes up every day smiling. “I know that I'll look at this ring 50 years from now and remember that he spent four months designing and picking out every detail,” she said.

For Banayan, the ring is more than just jewelry—it’s a symbol of their love, commitment, and the journey they’ve shared. Now, all that’s left is to get married.