Sometimes the best travel days are the ones that surprise you completely. What started as a simple Nashville sightseeing adventure turned into one of the most memorable days of our relationship, complete with drone mishaps, stunning discoveries, and the perfect wedding rings we didn’t even know we were looking for.
I want to clarify something important: I’m not sharing these ring details to flaunt or show off. We both deeply appreciate art and craftsmanship, and we genuinely consider what’s on our fingers to be wearable art and meaningful symbols of our commitment to each other.
Centennial Park Adventure (We Flew the Drone for the first time)
Our Nashville adventure began at Centennial Park, home to the city’s iconic full-scale Parthenon replica. Rich had been itching to fly his new DJI Phantom drone that I’d given him for Christmas, and we figured this beautiful park would be the perfect backdrop for some epic footage.
While we have some incredible footage we wish we could share (seriously, it’s breathtaking), we ended up finding out we’re not supposed to use the footage (See our post when we flew at Bicentennial Mall Capitol State Park and had a run-in with the park ranger. Pro tip for future Nashville visitors: research no-fly zones before packing your drone!)
We managed to capture our first-ever Facebook Live video at the Parthenon. Looking back, this was one of our earliest ventures into content creation (in 2017) even before we were married.
The Ring Discovery That Changed Everything
After our park adventures, we headed to Genesis Diamonds at Green Hills for what we thought would be casual wedding band browsing. Little did we know we were about to find the perfect symbols of our love story.
Elizabeth, our incredible sales associate, immediately understood my vision for a low-profile band that would showcase my engagement ring’s intricate details. But it was Rich’s ring journey that truly took our breath away.
Elizabeth introduced Rich to Christian Bauer designs, a German company known for exceptional craftsmanship and quality. The moment Rich saw their collections, something clicked. After exploring numerous options, he found his perfect match: a stunning 14-karat white and red gold band with palladium, featuring a white gold center with red gold edges.
Here’s where it gets even more special. We discovered we could have custom engraving done in my actual handwriting. The words were obvious: “Strike it Rich.” I had said this to him the day we met, and he was instantly captivated by my magnetic personality (okay, I’ll stop gushing, but I do love this man, even over a decade in!).
The honeymoon phase? Still going strong after eleven years (as of 2025). Despite what people say about relationships getting routine after years together, we’ve only grown closer and continue cherishing every moment we spend together.
But wait, there’s more! While Rich was getting his ring ordered, I unexpectedly found my perfect wedding band set. Two stunning low-profile 14-karat white gold bands with round brilliant cut diamonds, pave set, flowing halfway down each band. Rich suggested getting two to flank my engagement ring on either side, and I was completely here for it.
Our final sets were perfectly complementary: my rose gold engagement ring with white gold wedding bands, and Rich’s white gold band with red gold edges. Pure artistry and the beautiful symbol of our love we’d been searching for.
Green Hills Food Tour
After “Striking it Rich” with our ring discoveries, we celebrated with comfort food at Noodles & Company. There’s something magical about perfectly buttered noodles that just hits the spot. As someone whose favorite food is pasta in any form, this was exactly what I needed.
Next, we explored The Mall at Green Hills, soaking in some retail therapy and the vibrant atmosphere. The shopping was great, but honestly, we were still floating on cloud nine from our ring discoveries.
For a sweet treat, we stopped at The Soda Parlor for floats. (Now permanently closed) 😭 There’s something nostalgically perfect about enjoying old-fashioned floats together, especially when you’re celebrating finding the physical symbols of your forever.
We capped off our perfect day with dinner at Five Points Pizza. Nothing says “perfect Nashville day” like great pizza shared between two people who just found their dream wedding rings.
Travel Tips for Your Nashville Adventure
Drone Users: Research no-fly zones thoroughly before your trip. Many of Nashville’s most iconic locations, including Centennial Park and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, restrict drone usage.
Ring Shopping: If you’re in the market for jewelry, Genesis Diamonds at Green Hills comes highly recommended. Elizabeth went above and beyond with personalized service and expert guidance.
Food Planning: The Green Hills area offers fantastic dining variety, from casual spots like Noodles & Company to unique experiences like The Soda Parlor. (Now permanently closed) 😭
The Magic of Unexpected Discoveries
This Nashville day perfectly captures why we love travel so much. Yes, we came to see the Parthenon and explore this city, but we left with so much more. Sometimes the most meaningful travel experiences happen when you’re not even looking for them.
From learning drone regulations the hard way to discovering our perfect wedding rings, this day reminded us that the best adventures combine planned sightseeing with spontaneous discoveries. Nashville delivered as it always does, creating memories we’ll treasure long after our rings are finally on our fingers.
