Thursday, March 19, 2009

The story...

...of these 4 rings!




These rings are more then just 'pretty' peieces of metal, these rings have history. These rings belonged to Earl and Erna Woodward (perfect names!).


After serving in the Philipines during WWII, Earl returned home to Illnios where he married Ms. Erna Baldus. There wasn't much money to go around so a ring was bought for Erna that held great signifigants but also kept them from going bankrupt. After purchasing this ring, there wasn't enough money left to buy Earl a ring so the decision was made to go without...and they were happy.



On their first Christmas together, Erna decided that she would suprise Earl with a large box. This box was large enough to contain just about anything. But much to the shock of Earl, inside was a simple gold wedding band.....and they were happy.


The years went on, a child was born, and the Woodwards continued on. Soon, the thin gold engagment ring the Earl had given to Erna during a sparse time wore thin. The ring held for as long as it could, but the it eventual was too much and the band broke. Earl decided it was time to give Erna a more substanual band that wouldn't wear through....and they were happy.





This band preformed its duties well, never wearing thin. Soon though, Earl made the decision Erna deserved diamonds. He went above and beyond and gave her this ring....and they were happy.


Erna wore this ring until the day that she died in 1999. It was then passed onto her daughter. The ring was held onto for safe keeping for 5 years. Until it was passed on again.

All of these rings belonged to my Grandpa and Grandma Woodward. Because my mom was an only child, the rings were all passed onto her. She told me that the diamond wedding ring would be mine either when I graduated college or got married, which ever came first. Well the time came to get married and I decided this ring should be my wedding ring instead of something that sat in my jewery box and I wore every once and a while.

When Ty called my dad to ask if he could marry me, he also had the added task of asking for the ring, not something too easy. From what I have been told, my dad made him squirm a little (before my mom kicked him) before letting him off the hook.

All ended well though because the ring ended up here........Okay, maybe more like here.....

6 comments:

Nicole said...

Great story. It's really cool that there's so much history behind the ring you get to wear every day.

Kristen said...

I love that story. Didn't I just ask about the ring around your neck the other day? Great photos.

Linz said...

That's awesome!!

Unknown said...

....and they were happy, too.

Sarah said...

What fun stories. I'm going to pass my ring down, too. I will probably end up with 5 girls or something though.

cherished said...

I remember that ring very clearly! And LOVE it! That is so awesome that you have this (and the story) to pass on!!