The other day a neighbor invited me to a jewelry party she was having. I appreciate a stunning piece of jewelry but I don’t wear very much of it. I decided to go, however, because this neighbor is pretty nice and since we’re not moving back to Jacksonville I’m free to open myself up to making friends again. (I hadn’t been letting myself do that because it’s hard on me having to say goodbye.)
So I go to the party, don’t know anyone except the neighbor, and immediately realize I’m under-dressed. My outfit was fine, but my accessories were dearly lacking. It was clear by the amount of baubles adorning the other women that they had a mad passion for jewelry.
My wedding set is the only piece of jewelry I wear constantly and hardly ever take off. I forget to put on earrings most mornings, wear necklaces mostly for special occasions, and never wear bracelets or any other rings.
I felt a little scrutinized, but not intimidated. Everyone was friendly enough. The only time I felt a little awkward was when everyone made a big deal about the rock on another woman’s finger.
I don’t know if she was recently engaged or newly wed but her diamond was enormous. I’d guesstimate at least two carats, but probably bigger. After that I noticed everyone surreptitiously making note of everyone else’s rings –mine included. (Which was by far the smallest there.)
Did it bother me? Absolutely not! It reminded me of the time I was discussing such things with my good friend Joelle. She’s one of those wise, old-soul sorts who’s always full of sage insights.
Her ring wasn’t much more than a chip. A chip of a chip really. It had cost all of $150. It was all she and Jeff could afford at the time they’d gotten married. (She’d gotten pregnant during their last year of high school and they’d decided to marry. Her ring actually came after they’d been married a few months and Jeff had been able to save up a little for it.)
“But you know what someone told me once, Courtney? Size doesn’t matter. A bigger ring doesn’t mean you’re any more married. It doesn’t mean you’ll be any happier or guaranteed a lasting love either.”
Perhaps truer words have never been spoken.
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