July 29, 2010

A diamond in the rough

Local jeweller secures precious gem in just a few weeks

Susan and Varouj Tabakian today

Susan and Varouj Tabakian today

GOOD THINGS DO come in small packages — and on silver platters, too! With a proposal that could warm any girl’s heart, this local couple has kept the romance alive from day one. Having dated for a little more than a month prior to their engagement, these two knew they were meant for each other the moment they first met. Susan shares their story.

How they met:
I was at the peak of my graphic arts career and preparing for a move when my dad called, asking me to drop by to see something special. Several hours later, I was sitting in his house with the “something special”: Varouj.

My dad and he had just met through the jewellery business — my dad being in sales, and Varouj a jewellery designer and goldsmith. Dad thought that this wonderfully talented man and I would share a common creative thread, and without either of us knowing, we were set up!

I remember as Varouj was showing me a few of his beautiful pieces and having me try on his latest creation: an engagement ring while it was still in the rough. He placed it on my left hand and described how he was going to set the diamonds. I remember being in awe and saying, “Wow, some girl’s going to be pretty lucky.”

The courtship:
A few days later we went on our first date. We had a wonderful time, but both our lives were going in different directions. While I was moving away, Varouj was leaving for an extended trip to Europe. Then one day, six weeks later, I received a call from Varouj in London, England. He was on his way home and said he couldn’t stop thinking about me and hoped he could see me when he returned. After just a month of dating, Varouj called my dad to tell him not to sell his latest creation. He was going to need it back!

The proposal:
Weeks later, Varouj took me to Restaurant 54th on top of the Toronto Dominion Centre. After we placed our order, a server tapped me on the shoulder with a silver platter in hand. Placed with a red rose were two jeweller’s boxes: one long and one small. He told me to open whichever one I wanted first.

I was too nervous to open the small box first, so by unravelling the long one I was given my
birthday present: a beautiful gold watch. Then, I slowly opened the small box to find the engagement ring I had tried on in the rough just months before.

The wedding:
We were wed on June 17, 1989, in the backyard of my dad’s home — the place we had met.  That night we flew to San Francisco to begin our honeymoon drive of the California coast. It was exactly the romantic and relaxing kind of honeymoon we had dreamed of.

Their lives today:
Varouj was born in Lebanon, grew up in South Africa, and had lived and worked in many different countries before coming to Canada. We now have one daughter Melissa, 18, and a son, Justin, 16.

A few years after their births, we opened a retail store on Eglinton Avenue to showcase Varouj’s jewellery and double as his workshop. I work in the store, prepare his exhibitions and run my own freelance graphic arts and printing business.

Our business comes with an exciting social life, but our favourite times are snuggled up in front of the fire, watching movies with the kids and Norm, our family dog.

Secret to success:
All the basic clichés apply to our success as a couple: respect, patience,    flexibility, understanding, and of course, love. We take
one day at a time and try to do little things to keep the romance alive. Whether it’s leaving little notes around the house (Varouj hides them in my coffee filter holder) or making a favourite meal, just simple things to remind each other in our busy lives of the love we share. To this day, Varouj brings me tea each morning, and I am always grateful.

Every couple has a story to share. If you would like to share yours, please contact the editor at 416-250-7979 ext. 222 or news@postcitymagazines.com

This article appears in the April 2009 issue of Post City Magazines

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