Wowsa! Engagement Ring Found...

It's been quite a while since I've really blogged, so I think it's finally time to sit down and write. I'm finally feeling much much better (minus the rib and back pain) and my life is swinging back to normal. We're not there yet, but its getting closer.

The past few days have just been wild... I've wanted to share, but today I finally feel like I should write....

You'll never believe what happened to me today!

On my way out of my apartment building this morning, I found something next to my car on the ground: a big diamond engagement ring! It was between 3 and 4 carrots total... with 3 diamonds, in a platinum setting, with a gold trim. Beautiful ring!

Immediately, my mind began to race. How would I get the ring back to its owner? Who could I trust and how would I know?

First, I took the elevator back upstairs to the office in my building. I thought that I'd drop it off at the front desk as lost. Then, I realized... not everyone's honest-- and I'm not a huge fan of all of the staff in my building. So, I decided to take things into my own hands and turned on my heel, heading back to my car.

I put the diamond engagement ring in my purse with a plan to print "found ring" signs to hang in the lobby of the building. Then, I was off to work.

At lunch, I decided to drive to Pizza and a Movie on Harbor Town to return two movies that I should have taken back yesterday. Since I was already there, I decided to pick up sushi at Miss Cordelia's. After getting my food, I headed up to the checkout.

Just after paying my bill, I noticed a hand drawn sign that said "Lost Engagement Ring" with a sketch of the ring on it. It looked like it might have been the same ring.

I asked the clerk, "does this person live in X building?" and the clerk said, "no, but she did lose her ring. it must be hers." "Well, I'll talk to her," I said. "Who is she?" "She's a chef in the back," the lady replied.

"Hmm..." I thought, "this doesn't seem right... she doesn't live near me and she's a cook? I don't know if this could be the right person."

I then went to the back of the store, where I found this chef sitting outside, talking with a friend. They must have been mourning her loss.

I recognized the chef-- I spoke with her around two months ago. She was riding in an elevator in my building. She had parked near my car. She was there to teach a cooking class.

So, I went up and asked her where she lived... turns out she has a SECOND place in my building. She was just there recently.

At this point, I explained that this morning I found an engagement ring next to my car and I started to unzip my red purse. Just as I began to reach inside, the lady became very quite and her friend began to gasp.

When I pulled out the ring, the lady began to cry. Her friend began to confirm, "that's her ring! That's absolutely her ring!"

She was clearly in a little shock. After she had a moment, she said, "can I know your name?" Clearly this was a big moment for her. I left her with a business card.

A few thank yous and hugs later, I was on my way back to work. I was so relieved to have found the ring's proper owner.

The rest of the day went great.

Then, when I got home tonight, there were FLOWERS at my door! How fun-- she left me a thank you note and flowers saying "Angela! Many thank-you's for finding my Diamond Ring!! Thank you again!"

I had no expectations for a gift, but anyone who knows me KNOWS how much I LOVE flowers! (P.S. The flowers are from Gestures -- my favorite Memphis flower shop)

I wish I'd taken a photo of the ring, so that I could have shared it with you. It's pretty cool. I may have to share one of the flowers... we'll see.

Well, that's it. Pretty cool, huh? What a day filled with fate.