Every so often I come across a worn, yellowed sheet of paper.
It just seems to magically turn up as I am sorting and filing paperwork.
It's a receipt.
From a small town jewelry store.
For the engagement and wedding ring set that Joe purchased the day he asked me to marry him.
On April 15, 2003.
Eight years ago today.
That ring set cost all of 735 dollars.
Do you know what that price tag means to me?
It is a symbol of the humble and simple man my husband is. He doesn't need money or possessions or "bling" to illustrate how capable or manly or important he is. He didn't feel the need to go into thousands of dollars of debt just to prove something to me or the world. With that small ring he gave me his heart, his love, his loyalty, and his life.
I cannot claim to be so consistently pure of heart as he is.
Sometimes I look at this ring I wear on my left hand and get a little wistful, maybe even slightly jealous when I see my sisters and friends with their big fat bands and diamonds.
Sometimes I want something fat and ferocious on my finger too.
Maybe someday I will.
But can I tell you something?
I think there is a reason that yellowed piece of paper keeps "magically" reappearing in my pile of paperwork.
I need a reminder.
Of the good heart my husband has.
Of how simple and precious life and love and marriage can be.
Of what is truly important.
Funny how one little $735 gold wedding band set can be worth more than a whole pile of diamonds.
Happy "Will You Marry Me?" Day Joe! I love you!
I think your ring is so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's beautiful. I never ever get jealous of peoples' rings...big ones, small ones, it doesn't matter to me because our wedding rings are so personal, it's more about THAT than about the ring itself.
ReplyDeleteOne day, (his birthday, actually) one year, I took off my ring to make meatloaf or something. I didn't put it back on. And I just kept forgetting.
Eventually, like almost a year later, I did put it back on. And he almost started crying when he noticed, because I hadn't worn it for so long. Little did I know how much that affected him.
I think your ring is lovely. I too, have a smaller ring. I helped design it and we were very careful about it. My wedding ring has the letters CTR initialed on each side of the diamond. Those initials remind me every day, that I have made my choice, it is the right choice and I need to do the things necessary to be grateful for it. I am so glad for your little slip of paper and for your thought today. It gave me a reason to look at my own ring and smile for the humble, loving and wonderful man that is in my life. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! I'm right there with you. I think my ring cost a grand total of $900, if that, and sometimes I get jealous when I see my sister's full carat diamond, or some of the "fancier" rings my roommates were adorned in, but just knowing the meaning behind my ring, it could have been made out of a trash bag twist tie, and it would have been fine. But, I'm glad it's not.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, diamonds are a girl's best friend, right? Especially when they're born in April...:)
I think your ring is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWe have much the same situation and I would not trade my ring in for all the money in the world. It is the ring that my husband gave me the day he vowed to love me for eternity!
You worded it beautifully!
I agree! Ben picked my ring out all on his own and THAT'S what I love about it! I think it cost $600, but it doesn't even matter. I love that I had nothing to do with it! I do find myself feeling envious of other people's rings, but I just have to remind myself that's not me. I don't wear jewelry as it is and my ring is perfect for me. Thanks for sharing Ev!
ReplyDeleteI love the ring. Mine is small too but it feels so right.
ReplyDeleteLove this post. :)
ReplyDeleteMolinelli's? Love your ring and love the story. I also love it when prospective, in love boys decide to live within their means and buy what they can with what they have instead of bring thousands of dollars worth of debt into marriages. My aunt just got her "grown up" wedding ring and I swear it's 5 carats. I am all about sentiment, not size. XO
ReplyDeleteMy ring is simple and small as well and that is exactly what I wanted! However having kids and all, my ring kept scratching everything it touched, so I asked for another simple band for Christmas a few years ago. It cost $40 bucks and that is the ring I choose to wear. It has a simple heart and engraved inside is Always and Forever! On top of that sits the first ring my daughter bought for me from a quarter machine. She was so proud of it as well was I. Those are the only 2 rings I wear and I love them dearly!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI loved the ring that my husband gave to me and I would have worn it proudly forever had he not ahem...cough..ahem...upgraded;)
ReplyDeleteMy ring is small and simple as well. And it kills me almost daily that it is too small. Hopefully soon I will find that extra $75 to get it sized!
ReplyDeleteI could have written this exact post! My rings together (engagement and wedding band) cost $350! And you know what...I still love them! It didnt take a year to pay for them, we paid in cash and they mean so much to me
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet! Sometimes when I am mad at my husband, I remember how he worked for two years (before he even really knew me) saving everything he had so he could one day buy his wife a beautiful ring.
ReplyDeleteI think that paper does show up occasionally to help you remember what sacrifices were made so he could marry you.
Happy Anniversary to you both. What a sweet touching post. Sooo true that a little reminder sometimes makes you cherish every little thing you have.
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely beautiful. Simple is the best thing in the world. Who needs to waste money on a piece of metal.
ReplyDelete