It Has A Certain Ring To It

A few weeks ago at my brother’s wedding, Daniel asked me when I got used to wearing my wedding ring. Having been married since February of 2009, I told him I’m still not used to it after more than three years.

There is just something about that little metal band around your finger that begs you to do anything but just keep it there. Daniel didn’t have his on for more than an hour when he started fidgeting with it. My co-worker Pavel got married a few weeks before Daniel and I can constantly hear him playing with his ring, which has a section that spins while still on his finger.

I myself mess with my ring way more than I should, at least according to my wife. I spin it on my desk. I flip it up in the air. I sell it at a pawn shop. In short, I’m not nearly as careful with what is supposed to be a symbol of our love.

The closest I ever came to actually losing it though came during a time when I wasn’t messing around with it. I keep my ring in my wallet at night so it won’t be misplaced, which is all well and good unless you lay your wallet on the top of your car before you go to the gym then drive off. I still consider myself lucky that some Good Samaritan found it a few blocks from our house and took it up to the office after recognizing my name from the newspaper.

Not that it would be the end of the world if I did lose it. My dad lost his first ring after a softball game when it fell off his motorcycle. He lost his second a few months ago while doing yard work, although he did buy a metal detector and the search for the ring continues. It’s hard telling whether or not he’ll get a third, but my parent's marriage is just fine without it. Dysfunctional as ever, but fine just the same.

While a ring may symbolize a love that has no beginning or end, it’s still just a piece of metal. It doesn’t matter whether it cost $10 or $10,000. What matters is the love and support you give your significant other. And I hope my wife remembers that when I inevitably drop my ring down the sink, or in a sewer grate or whatever other stupid thing I do because I won’t keep it on my finger.