Ring

Everything and I mean everything from the smallest detail like ink color for the guest book to the largest being my wedding dress, I constantly second guessed every decision. I've asked my parents time and time again for a do over wedding with "I should have done this wedding". For some reason they wouldn't go for it. Which clearly I wasn't serious, well maybe just a tad.

As all of you know my ring has been an uphill battle. If you don't know or don't remember, here is a recap of the down fall events regarding the wedding band.

I was fine with just having my ring be by itself, but Mike always planned from the very beginning I would pick out my wedding ring, separate from the engagement ring. Which was very nice of him, but well lets face it, he is a guy! I finally talked him into looking at wedding bands to match my ring since buying another ring would be outrageous and a costly decision. He finally agreed. Month later we went to the jewelry store where he bought my engagement ring and found a wedding band that matched perfectly! I was so pleased and so happy with the decision we made. This happiness would soon come to an end. When my band was in, mom and I were shopping that day in Jeff and decided to stop in to make sure it was the right size and everything. Well it was the right band but the wrong diamond set, in bead set which is very pretty but didn't match with my style of ring at all. So no big deal, just return it and get the correct setting. This is where the process took a huge downfall. A month later the new band was in, it's bead set and a whole new band. I was devastated. Not only was the setting wrong, band completely wrong in a vampire tooth design to go around my ring, but Mike's ring was also in the wrong finish and style. At this point I was fine with having my engagement ring be my whole wedding ring.

A few weeks later, Mike and I had our Pre-Cana class talking about money and not making vast decisions around wedding time or in married life in general. Which was all very agreeable and their points made perfect sense. After the class I had a few things to take back at the mall and to check out wedding bands for Mike. Our whole main lesson for the day went completely out the window.

As we were waiting for another couple to finish looking at bands, I saw this gorgeous wedding ring. I didn't say anything about it, plus even if we was looking for me I would stay clear of that case as it seemed more expensive than the rest of the rings. Finally began looking at rings for Mike and he was more excited this go around and I let him pick out his own whereas he let me pick before. We began telling them about our wedding which they then asked to my ring. This is where I started to explain our situation and Mike said for me to look at rings as well. As the lady was putting Mike's information into the computer, he pointed at the same ring I was eying earlier and said that was really pretty and I should try it on. I thought to myself you've got to be kidding out of all the rings, he sees the same one I did. I told him we needed to stay clear of that case and plus we were just 'looking'. Another lady joined in and asked if she could take my ring to put it up next to other bands. I think we went through 15 bands and enhancers. Nothing and I mean nothing gave my ring justice.

We began to try on rings, just to try on and maybe get an idea. With that being a huge maybe! She asked me what I liked, so I gave her a description to what I thought seemed like a broad selection of rings they had there, almost every ring they had. She said I think we have the perfect ring for you and it would fit your sweet personality. It was the same ring that both Mike and I was eying! I couldn't believe it. By no means did I let her know that, because I figured with her trying to make a sale she would try her hardest with a ring out of our price range. Which it was.

Two hours later, we settled on 'the' ring. I am so happy with our decision. And this decision didn't come lightly, as you all know every wedding decision I have second guessed myself. This was a huge purchase so I questioned it every minute up until Mike placed that ring on my finger at the alter.

We did receive a huge discount. I could have sold my engagement ring, but it meant too much to me and they could tell it did as I was almost in tears to the thought of selling it. It's the ring Mike was proud to surprise me with and the designer was from Missouri who made Eastern Star jewelry and Masonic Lodge. Which both hit home with me and made me feel close to my Elrod grandparents that have both passed away. To me it was like a part of them with me and they were able to be a part of our special day. By the end of the ring purchase, we were all almost in tears. The two ladies at Kays Jewelry in Jeff felt more like family when we left and even gave me a hug and was so happy to see such a pretty ring go to a person that deserved it. They felt so close to us, that they wanted to come to the wedding and made me promise to bring in wedding pictures for them to see. Which I'm sure they were more excited for the commission. lol After the price went down a lot from a 40% sale, another huge amount taken off because of our story and went down even more after she explained to her boss our story who took another $700 off, it was finally in our price range. Even with that said, I was still going back and forth whether to go ahead and get it. It was still a big purchase, but one we will cherish forever and hopefully be passed down the family for years to come.

I always tell my mom everything and this was something I wanted to tell her so bad, especially all the times she kept emailing me pictures of rings and even had me browse rings when we were shopping. There were numerous times I almost gave in and told her, even down to seconds of showing her a picture which had been on my phone all along. Mike wanted it to be a surprise to everyone since they knew how much trouble we have went through and I agreed as it would be even more special to surprise everyone. I couldn't contain myself with this secret so I had to share with someone, I told Shelley. So instead of my mom, she had to deal with my constant second guessing emails of money venting. Thank you to Shelley for being there and dealing with my purchase crisis!

Now that it seems like I just wrote a book on the ring process, I will end the story with saying the ring feels like it was always meant to be. So happy with our decision and I wear my engagement ring on the other hand every day now!