My parents had a very loving marriage for over 40 years. Since Dad died, she has not taken on another partner. Dad’s ashes sit on a shelf in his closet awaiting the day we lose Mom. We are then to mix their ashes together and spread them in the woods that they so enjoyed. Mom took his wedding band to a jeweler and had it cut in half and made into a pair of half-circle earrings. The one that had been engraved with their initials and wedding date was always worn in her left ear because it was “closer to her heart.”
I am a 48-year old female who has never married. I gave up looking and focused on a career and a secure future. I have great friends and family. I thought it was enough.
And then I met a man. It was on a web-site and purely by accident. We have the same ethics, values, financial management style, and oh how we can make each other laugh. We are now engaged.
A couple of years ago, Mom confessed that she lost one of the earrings. I asked her if I could have the other one (it’s the one with the initials and date) to use to make a wedding band for my fiancĂ©. She was fine with it, but asked my siblings to make sure there were no objections. All gave their approval. It is the best wedding present my family could give.