In a state of high anticipation, VetteMan & I drove to Racine to bring home The Ring. We arrived earlier than our projected time, so Chris said he would buy us dinner - there are several nice restaurants in Downtown Racine, although I consider The Bistro a bit classier than we were dressed for, so he suggested Saluté for its vegetarian pizza.
It was a nice cosy restaurant down the block, and we settled into a window seat to watch the city traffic and await our dinner. Midway through dinner, Chris ran into the restaurant, placed a box by VetteMan's left hand, said, "I didn't think you wanted to give this to her in the middle of a construction project; come see me after dinner," and ran out again.
We ate a little more of dinner, but then, we HAD to see It . . . VetteMan said it was beautiful, and placed it on my finger . . .
It fits on my finger perfectly and already feels as though it's been there for years (22, to be exact). Very solid, very comfortable. Doesn't move around my finger so that the stones are underneath; it just stays where it is supposed to be.
There are five small diamonds on each side of the large (.40 carat) diamond; the wedding band will have 12 small stones to make up the total of 22, representing our 22 years together; the large stone represents our 23rd year together. It is a brilliant-cut, so it sparkles beautifully in the sun, or whatever ambient light there is.
Everyone's faith in and recommendation of Chris have been warranted; not only is he a wonderful artist, but he is a joy to work with. We wish him great things with his new business, Art Metals Studio. In effect, we were his first clients.
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