Today is my forty-third wedding anniversary and another beautiful summer day is in the forecast, not just weather wise, but relationally, with my husband, as well. 

We are not flying off to Europe to celebrate, although I do have to make a flight to Boise for work later today. We do not buy each other anniversary gifts, but I did read my husband the “card” I wrote for him. My “card” was not purchased from Hallmark, I just wrote some original words that expressed my gratitude for my husband’s love for me. Yes, it is our anniversary and although I’ve always been married to the same man, I am on my third wedding ring. 

The Story Behind the Rings

I’ve written a few bio lines for different reasons; on the back of my book is one bio, and for other marketing venues, I’ve written another one that includes the line, “She’s been married to the same man for forty-two years, although she is on her third wedding ring.”

In a way, it is very appropriate that I am wearing my third wedding ring since my husband proposed to me three times before I said, “yes.” 

My first wedding ring was a simple and inexpensive gold band which my husband-to-be purchased at a pawn shop. 

Just before our wedding, we bought five acres of land and planned to build a house. Since we knew we would not have electricity on our property for quite some time, my husband-to-be took some of our acquired electrical appliances into a pawn shop, sold them and bought me a ring. Then after only a few years, that narrow band of gold wore so thin that it fell apart.

My ring finger did not remain bare for long before my husband bought me another ring, this time, one with better quality gold and not from a pawn shop. But this second ring did not last long either. 

When a friend and her husband invited us to go golfing with them, I tucked my wedding ring inside my pants pocket along with the golf tees. Getting a tee from my pocket, I neglected to notice my ring falling onto the golf course. Not until the end of the game was I aware that I no longer had my ring. 

For Christmas that year, my husband bought me yet another ring. This one is Black Hills Gold and so far, still in my possession. 

Why bother to reminisce? Yes, I’ve been married to the same man for forty-two years, although I am on my third wedding ring. But there is a good reason and a good story behind that statement; one that is worth remembering and worth telling.