Wren and Maria turned their faces toward the fire pit just as the cameraman instructed. It was a brisk fall night in Birmingham—the sun was setting, and the temperature was perfect for an evening fire. It wasn’t their fire, or even their backyard, but it was a beautiful little spot to end the day, even if it was in the company of strangers.
The cameraman’s assistant draped a blanket over Maria’s shoulders while instructing Wren to warm his hands over the glowing coals.
The two of them weren’t models. They weren’t even friends. But oh, were they about to be. They’d both agreed to a photoshoot for Sea Island Forge thinking it sounded fun, but not realizing that it would be lifechanging.
The cameraman stepped back and twisted the front of his lens. “Ok, now give me your best smiles,” he said.
Smiles came easy that evening. In fact, once they met each other, not smiling was the hard part. For having never done a photo shoot before, they got some great shots. Perhaps it was the genuine laughs and stories shared over the fire pit that night.
The spark was lit. Wren and Maria had to see other again, and within a week, they had their first date. The dates kept coming and the love kept growing. They didn’t want to spend any more time apart and decided to purchase a home to build their life together. And of course, given to them as a housewarming gift, was a Sea Island Forge fire pit—a must-have for their new place as a nod to where their story first started. Amidst the flicker of its flames in their new yard, Wren got down on one knee and proposed to Maria.
The fire pit would witness countless more memories from that night on. Around the fire pit was the couple’s first choice for where to sit and relax. It became a favorite spot of their friends and family too. It offered laughter, comfort, and peace—and a place to belong.
Wren soon discovered the fire pit was perfect for entertaining and hosting, especially with the grilling system and accessories. And since he considers himself an “experienced cook and novice griller,” he needed a fire pit that did more than just burn.
From holiday get-togethers to random gatherings and everything in-between, Wren loves grilling up delicious meals for his loved ones. “Everybody enjoys sitting around the fire,” he says. “Someone just happens to be cooking on it. It’s an experience—the preparations, the flavors, and the anticipation are all part of the event. To have friends around while I cook has been really fantastic.”
One of the things that Maria and Wren appreciate most is the thoughtfulness that goes into every piece that Sea Island Forge creates.
“The ratcheting component is the exact same concept that open-fire Michelin Star kitchens are doing, and I can do it right in my backyard,” shares Wren. “I grill everything from hot dogs to whole snapper. Having that much control of the temperature gives me the freedom to try new things.”
The fire pit will forever be a centerpiece for Wren and Maria, and it continues to be a staple for their growing family as they look forward to making new memories around it with their son. “It’s the genesis of our story—like the spark that started it all,” shares Maria. “And because of its design and functionality, it will be a part of the rest of our lives.”
Start your own story with the kettle and get fired up with the grill—memories are waiting to be made around our fire pits.