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An ephiphany I'm proud to share

As most of you know I love to read.  There is not a point in time where I am not currently reading multiple books whether for pleasure or for school.  I guess it’s a good thing I teach reading for a living!  

My mom recently gave me her book to read, The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper.  I absolutely love Chip and Jo!  I am obsessed with watching their show as well, and reading their book only makes me love them more as a couple.  They really remind me a lot of my husband and I.  Chip is goofy silly and always tries to make Joanna laugh.  Jay does the same thing with me.  Chip has a million projects going on a one time and so does Jay. I’m very conservative and reserved most of the time like Jo.  I’m a penny pincher and planner like Jo.  Chip and Jo compliment each other like Jay and I compliment each other.

October 18, 2016
HarperCollins Christian Publishing

Well, I’ve been really enjoying this book and have a super hard time putting it down which has been nice during the taper before my marathon and recovery afterwards.

I was reading one of the chapters on Saturday before my marathon and was emotional to begin with, but Jo was recounting one of their anniversary memories.  

When Chip and Jo first got engaged, Chip let Joanna create her engagement ring.  I had a similar experience in that I had found a set that I liked at Wal-Mart of all places that had crosses on either side of the diamond and three crosses on the band.  So I told Jay about it.  Literally, a day or so later he went and bought the set along with the matching band for himself.  However, he went to Jared (yes, he went to Jared!) to purchase a larger diamond than the teeny tiny one that was in the original ring.  My diamond is a perfect third of a carat. It’s a princess cut set to look like a diamond.  I absolutely loved that ring from the day he proposed. However, once we had kids, it didn’t fit and then the band broke, and then I had this crazy notion that I needed a bigger diamond and since I couldn’t afford a real one, I kept purchasing fake ones.  I loved all the attention I got from those rings, but deep deep deep down I knew I was being silly about it.  

Back to Chip and Jo, on their 12th anniversary, Chip arranged for their original jeweler to replace Jo’s diamond with a larger one, like her father had done for her mother.  But Jo loved her ring so much she told the jeweler, “I’m sorry, but no.”  She really loves her original ring just the way it is.  

This really hit me hard!! (Remember I was emotional to begin with!) I immediately took off my huge fake diamond. Put it away in my jewelry box and brought out my original engagement ring and wedding band.  I put them both on even though the band is broken and has a piece missing from the underside.  I cried as I put them on.  (Remember I’m full of emotions from tapering and getting ready to run a marathon.) I didn’t realize how hurtful I was being to the symbol of that ring.  My adoring, loving husband went out of his way to choose this ring for me and I have been totally selfish and a little egotistical in not wanting to wear it because I thought it was too small and that I deserved bigger.  

Boy was this a wake up call!  I felt like the hand of Jesus just came down and slapped me across the face.  Boy did I need it.  I have since put all my fake diamonds away and I have not taken off the rings my husband of almost 10 ½ years gave to me back in 2005 and 2006.

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(Forgive my incredibly dry hands, these aren't the best pictures but you get the idea)

I don’t know why this happened now.  It’s been so long since I have consistently worn my original ring.  It’s funny how just reading about someone else and their opinions can make us change our own minds about the way we see things.  

Since reading this book and this experience with the rings, I have changed my mindset about so many things.  However, that is for another post.  This post is about my love of my wedding ring and the joy it brings me just looking at it!  I am proud of my perfect ring and the perfect man that gave it to me.

This one’s for you honey!  I love you Jason!

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Until next time,

Laura



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