ringsinsnow

The past few weeks have been very busy ones, full of birthday celebrations, a wedding, and a surprise visit from a daughter who lives out of state. And the midst all that, more snow and a rising amount of cabin fever in my household.

But this week finds me in the middle of a sinus/ear infection. Coughing fits keep me up at night and rattle my chest. I guess I partied too hard it seems.

I know I am late for the challenge but the above picture was originally taken in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge: Treasure. This is my engagement ring surrounded by my two wedding bands.

When my husband (then fiancé) gave me this engagement ring over 28 years ago, he had little money and no job. He apologized that the ring didn’t have a large diamond and I understood. But that ring was the most beautiful ring I had ever received and it carried the promise of marriage to the one I love.

I don’t think my husband had ever stepped into a jeweler’s shop before he bought my engagement ring. The woman there was so helpful and kind. He always liked amethyst especially since it was his birth stone. When she showed him this particular ring, he knew it was the one. Later on, when we visited the shop again to purchase our wedding bands, she suggested purchasing two to surround my delicate engagement ring. It was a perfect fit.

When my husband slipped these rings onto my finger at our wedding he said these words,

Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

These rings are a sign of his promise to love and be faithful to me for the rest of our lives. He promised this love and commitment before our Heavenly Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit who gives him the grace to be the best husband he could possibly be.

What a treasure I have in this gift of marriage. When I have doubts, all I have to do is look at my hand and see the promise that has lasted 28 years so far and I know will continue to last “all the days of my life.

I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

The title of this post is taken from the theme of an event that took place on St. Valentine’s Day when Pope Francis met with 10,000 engaged couples in St. Peter’s Square.

I also found this post about wedding rings by Fr. Stephen Wang which expresses the beautiful symbolism of wedding bands.

I was excited when this week’s Weekly Photo Challenge:Threes was announced. I hope you will indulge me in submitting this picture for both themes (three rings, three jewels). At least I am not too late for this one.

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