Yesterday was our 20th wedding anniversary.
It’s known traditionally as the “China” anniversary, but the modern name given is “Platinum”. Hubby decided to surprise me by designing this gold and platinum band, complete with a Latin inscription (which shall remain anonymous, if you don’t mind) inside.
I was absolutely blown away, as we don’t usually go so overboard on the present front, and besides, I was already very happy with the book, flowers, and CD’s he’d earlier given me, this came totally out of the blue!
But what makes it all the more special is the story it comes with.
Twenty-one years ago, we designed and commissioned my engagement ring to be made, personally selecting the stones and setting we wanted. I chose a yellow Topaz for the centre gem, framing it on either side with a diamond, and Alan penned a Latin inscription to be engraved on the inner band. We ordered it from Hatton Garden, in London, the retail centre for bespoke jewelry, and in all that time since, I've never tripped across any other ring even remotely similar to it, it’s unique.
Although he wasn't certain if the place still existed, Alan decided to return to Hatton Garden, in the hope of visiting the exact same shop from where we had originally had this engagement ring made. And yes, it was still there. He found it had little changed, with all the receipts still handwritten, duplicated, and copies filed away - computerisation has completely passed them by.
When Alan mentioned why he was there, the elderly gentleman went over to his files, and, lo and behold, pulled out the exact same original order that we had initially placed with them, from all those years back.
Not only that, they had still held my ring-size on file, too!
How remarkable is that?
But if you think that is amazing, just listen to this..
The jeweler was able to confirm that it was actually he, himself, who had taken that original commission, he recognised his own handwriting on the slip.
Isn’t that totally amazing?
Um. Sadly, there is just one teensie-tiny, little snag.
This new ring barely fits over my little pinky, now (giggle). My fingers are no longer the slim, slender digits of my younger days – and it obviously never occurred to either of the pair to even consider this. All the same, it's sweet to think hubby still deludes himself into thinking that I'm just the same, right here and now, as I was way, way back then, isn't it? Truth is, I do now weigh the same as I did on my wedding day - but when I gained over three and a half stones mid-way through our marriage, I don't think he even noticed the drastic change, no more than he did after I lost the weight again.
When the ring didn't fit, the poor lad was crushed. “But how can that be, when your wedding rings still fit?”
It’s been at least a good ten years since I’ve been able to remove either one.
Ah well, least he assures me it can easily be re-sized..
(Grin.)
