The Ring (and I don't mean the movie)

Most people who get engaged have a fabulous story on how they picked out a ring. This morning, I remembered how my brother went about picking one out for my sister-in-law. When I turned seventeen, I made a pilgrimage back to the homeland of sand and camels to see my grandmothers, aunts and cousins - plus a few family friends. Flying isn't my forte, but I survived a puke-filled flight of 14 hours to arrive in the place that I lived for the first 5.5 years of my life. Before this journey ever started, my brother asked me to accept a very important task; to find his future wife a ring. He handed me a wad of a money that only a 24-year old could come up with on a college TA salary, and sent me on my way.

There I was, on a plane by myself for the first time ever flying to another country with only one suitcase (stuffed like an olive with what I thought were my most awesomest outfits - it was the 90s so you can use your imagination), a backpack (which held the cash) and my snow-white teddy bear (I needed a companion for this trip). Once I landed, kissed the ground and made my way through customs, I enjoyed my time looking for a ring that would be presented to my future family member.

I hate to admit it, but the trip was a bust. My aunt and I spent time going all over town looking for the right ring. To tell the the truth, years later, I am glad my brother picked out the ring he wanted to present. I remember getting my ring and all the memories that are tied to the diamond and silver band. I will never forget the moment and how it felt to know the man I would eventually call my husband would pick out something so special and from his heart (well, that and the store that sold it to him). And when my sister-in-law pulled out her engagement band, this past year, (which was replaced on their 10-year anniversary with another band and bigger diamonds), you could see the love she still held on to the little piece of jewelry given to her years ago. I knew then it meant more to her than anything I could have ever picked out.