Part II

So, I never knew I’d be so excited about purchasing a Power Tool. My leaf blower is my new favorite thing. I can’t tell you the last time I did yard work. Larkin is a professional landscaper, so I’ve gladly taken a backseat on yard maintenance for years. 

I know this sounds crazy, but doing things, that in the past would have been done by Larkin, have made me feel like I can conquer the world. HA! I’m slowly finding out that I’m capable of doing more than I thought. I purchased new light fixtures for my bathroom, but when I couldn’t figure out what breaker operated the fixtures, I figured I still need to leave a few things up to the professionals. It’s the little things, folks! I may not be re-wiring my house anytime soon, but the leaves don’t stand a chance!!

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On January 4th, I found myself sitting at the post office trying to hold back tears. 

I had gone back and forth about what to do with my wedding and engagement ring. The ring, which was given to me in 2004, meant so much to me. How do you even put the meaning into words? A part of me for so long and a constant reminder of love, Larkin, our past, present and future. 

Suddenly this thing that had more sentimental value than anything, became nothing. Zero. 

I considered saving it for one of the boys, or making it into another piece of jewelry, but in the end, the only thing that made sense to me was to part ways with them. One day, I’m sure my boys will know what happened. So, I can’t imagine them wanting it. Just the sight made me have knots in my stomach. Having a future daughter-in-law wear it, would almost seem like a curse. 

Anyway, after a lot of research, I ended up selling it through a website called “I do now I don’t”. You can’t make this stuff up, folks. Honestly, I laughed out loud when I came across the site for the first time. Anyway, a few days after listing, it sold. When I got the notification, I was shocked. I was able to communicate back and forth with the buyer. We aren’t able to preview any personal information about one another at all. Communication is strictly through the web site. 

So, here I am at the post office. My rings in the original box that Larkin held when he got down on one knee. I took a picture of them in the box and sent a text to Mom, Wade & Allison. “Another hard step today - although it probably shouldn’t be. Rings sold. Hard to believe I will never see them again. 

I never would have guessed that they would one day mean nothing.”

I got out of the car and walked into the post office. No line. Whew! I wouldn’t have time to stand there and think about anything. I walked up to the counter, looked to my right, and Mom walks in the door behind me. She was about 30 seconds behind me. 

Cue the waterworks. Can I tell you how many time I go to the post office? Maybe twice a year. And how many times I’ve seen Mom there - zero. She had no idea that I was at the post office, or mailing my rings - nothing. She was there to buy stamps and mail New Year cards. She hadn’t even seen my text at this point. 

I needed a shipping box. They didn’t have one - only an envelope. When does the post office NOT have a box!?! Guess what - the box that Mom had the cards in (which was going in the trash as soon as the cards were stamped and put in the drop box) was perfect. 

By this time, the poor postal worker probably thought I was crazy. I couldn’t talk for all the tears. He asked me to grab a particular label from the area where they sell all of the shipping supplies. He bought the label for me. I guess he felt so bad that I was a total wreck?? It was 79 cents. Lol. 

So here I was, taking another step that was SO HARD. But God knew what I needed. Right then. And he made it happen. And just like that, it was done. 

I messaged the buyer with the tracking information. Later that evening I decided to message him “Do you kind if I ask what you will do with the ring? Do you resell, wholesale, retail? Getting engaged?” I was just curious about what would happen to it next. 

Shortly after, I received a message: 

“I’m getting engaged! Using the diamond as the center stone in a new setting. Do you mind telling me the story of it?”. 

I thought of replying with a link to my blog, but quickly realized that would be the wrong thing to do. I simply said “my story is not so great, are you sure you want to know?”

“Maybe not”

So I left it at: “Congratulations and I hope it brings her just 1/2 of the happiness and love that it represented for me for the past 12 years.” 

And that was that.