The Murky Depths Below.

In December of 2006, Dave and I became engaged. It was a monumental moment in our relationship. This solidified our commitment to each other and came with a big sparkly ring! That night he presented me with a 3/4 carat solitare ring with another 1/4 carat of diamonds down half of the band. I was in love with that moment, that ring and most importantly that man.

During the summer, some friends of my in-laws hold a gathering/BBQ at their home in Lake Josephine. It is each and every Tuesday night, rain or shine. It stems from the ski club that began in the 1960's and is a tradition that continues to this day. More often than not, my friends and I end up floating in the lake. It's a beautiful way to end the day. All of the days stress and troubles, slide off as you dive head first in to the water. Your body relaxes the moment it breaks the glassy surface. It's a little spot of heaven nestled in the hustle and bustle of the city.

One particular night, some friends and I had finished cruising around the lake while some attempted to water ski. We decided to stop for a bit and float. One by one we stripped off our clothes revealing the swimsuits below. Having left my previous job at New Horizon, I lost weight since I was no longer eating my feelings of frustration and disappointment. Knowing this, I asked Dave to hold on to my ring, since he was staying aboard the boat. He agreed and there it sat perched on his pinkie finger, just above the first knuckle.

As we floated in the lake, the boat began to drift away from us. Dave still being on the boat, pulled up the anchor and headed our way. He pulled the boat in to position and moved to drop anchor. It all happened in a New York minute. As Dave moved to drop the anchor a small piece of the rope, swung up and slapped him on the hand as if he were a naughty child. It slapped him in on the pinkie, ring and middle finger. That's right, the pinkie finger. The same finger............holding my ring. It was almost poetic to think of that amazing piece of metal and mineral slowly drifting towards the bottom of the lake. With one swift move, my ring was now entrenched in the murky depths of Lake Josephine.

As it was happening I heard the most decisive "fuck" ever uttered from his lips. He then went on to repeat it 3 or 4 more times before he was able to relay the story back to me.

I assured him that while I was upset, it was not the end of the world and we would replace it when we could. He was understandably upset and still is. However, it was not the ring that mattered but the gorgeous statement behind it. I loved him then and I love him now. Ring or no ring.