"Ring-A-Ding-Ding"

"For years my wedding ring has done its job. It has led me not into temptation. It has reminded my husband numerous times at parties that it's time to go home. It has been a source of relief to a dinner companion..." - Erma Bombeck

     Seven months ago, King and I decided that we needed kittens.  We love cats.  We love animals.  King was heart-broken when his two mainecoon cats had passed after 20 years.  He loved them.  There were his allies.  There were his joy.  After a year had passed, I came home and he decided it was time; time to fill the house with adorable trouble again.  The next day, he sent me pictures of our soon to be "Luna" and "Leo."  It was love at first sight.  They were rescues.  But the reality is after seven months, they have rescued us.        

      As it would happen, I had forgotten how precocious kittens can be. Luna and Leo grew up fast and soon discovered that it's very fun to jump up on dressers and counter tops and well, knock stuff over and...over...and over...and...     

     One morning, I woke up, got dressed for work and as it my custom, went to my jewerly box to put on my wedding ring.  I opened my jewerly box, and looked for my ring.  Uh oh.  Major, MAJOR uh oh.  Gone, My wedding ring was gone.  I tore apart my office for three weeks not realizing that I had left my ring in a glass tray on my dresser.  I was heart-broken.  I looked at my adorable trouble makers and asked them, "Uh did you eat my wedding ring?"  Luna looked me with her "What what?" look and for the next three weeks I wondered if an ex-ray was in order at the vet.  I was heart-broken and well, the husband, just shook his head.    

      After three weeks, I decided to call the insurance company and report the loss.  You have no idea how stupid it sounded to be on the phone with the jewerly insurance company, explaining that well, "I might have a very, very expensive pussycat on my hands."  There were not amused but advised me what I needed to do to report the loss and make a claim.  I felt totally stupid.    The first week in February, King and I went to New Jersey to the store where King had originally purchased my ring.  We picked out a comparable ring and waited while they sized it and polished and resurfaced my engagement ring.  

     King and I sat on the couch for couple of hours.  I looked at the man that I had said, "Yes" to and just stared.  After 17 years together, 12 years married, I realized that the minute my new ring came out, and King slipped it on, nothing had changed.  Marriage is a complete rollercoaster ride.  It's not for the weak of heart.  It's serious business and as he slipped it on my figure, I realized that the feelings and love and the fear all came back to me.       

     My new wedding band will be coming to me once the insurance finishes it's paperwork.  Everything has to be signed, sealed and approved.  Like my marriage, the ring has to be assessed, re-evaluated and appraised.  I realized that the moment my ring disappeared and I realized it was officially, verifiably lost, that I had been appraising my marriage much like the jewelers did with my ring.  I now understand that the worth of my marriage had raised in value.  I wanted the ring.  I wanted King.   

     So, I have to thank Luna and Leo for their curiosity.  There has been a valuable lesson learned.  When we think we have seriously lost something, we realize it's value.  I think I need a puppy.