Disclaimer: I was asked to participate in the #JaredTimelessMoments campaign, sponsored by Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.
As I lifted up the back of my hair, my boyfriend at the time clasped together a beautiful yet simple 3-stone diamond necklace on my neck.
George said, “I know it’s not very big in size, but one day I’m going to get you a bigger necklace that you deserve. This one’s different from other designs, though, why this one?”
I turned around and saw him smiling at me – it was the very same smile that my seventeen-year-old self fell in love with eight years before when we were in high school.
I explained, “The jewelry I wear always has a story to tell. And when I saw this one, I envisioned each diamond as a representation of the past, present, and future. The smaller diamond represents the past, the medium sized diamond represents the present, and the largest diamond represents the future. I want to remember my past as an experience, I want to cherish the present moment I have right here with you, and I want to hope for the future – I know we’re going places and we’re going to do big things one day!”
It was a moment that happened ten years ago when George and I were still dating, and Jude and Juliana didn’t even exist yet. It was our humble beginnings and a time when we knew we were destined to be together for the rest of our lives. We were both in college, and trying to figure out life. But there was one thing we were certain about – our love for each other, through it all and despite our past.
We had been through a roller coaster of a life, and when we parted ways at the age of seventeen, I never thought I would see George again. When we reconnected online several years later (we were twenty-five years old by this time), we became friends then later began dating again. He knew about my divorce and knew I had two children and although he was never married nor had children of his own, he was completely open to dating me.
Before I found George again, I was a single mother dealing with a failed marriage that ended in divorce. My hope was to one day find a significant other who would equally love my children as much as they love me. It wasn’t easy dating back then, because I had to think of my future life, but also the future life that my children would live. Being in a relationship with me meant there was a package deal (kids included), no exceptions. All the long hours of overtime at work to make ends meet on one income, parenting alone, and raising two children pretty much on my own without any financial help was exhausting. But the greatest love we could give is the one we give selflessly to our children, and they always came first. No matter how difficult times were, my children were always worth the sacrifices I had given.
The moment George met Noah and Jasmine, I knew he was the one. I saw a man who wholeheartedly loved my children as his own from the start – he didn’t see them as a burden, but as a blessing and when we eventually got married we vowed to raise a family together, through it all. And the rest was history.
Or so I thought…
Until I came home one day to find a small, beautiful box with a card on the kitchen island. It was from Jared The Gallery Of Jewelry and on the card was a handwritten note by one of my younger children that said, “I love you, Mom!” As soon as I opened the box, my eyes widened with surprise as I heard feet quickly scurrying downstairs to approach me.
“Do you like our present, Mommy?!” they asked excitedly. I had no words, I smiled and nodded and gave lots of hugs – it was such a touching, sweet gesture. I turned around and saw my husband smiling at me with the very same smile that my seventeen year old and twenty-five year old self fell in love with many years ago.
As I lifted up the back of my hair, George took the necklace out of the box to place it on my neck. I walked over to a mirror and was mesmerized by this breathtaking, elegant 3-Stone Diamond Necklace on my neck and I burst into tears. With all that we have been through as a family, I couldn’t help but become more in love with this beautiful piece. It has so much meaning in our lives.
“You remembered”, I whispered.
Then George said, “Now you can tell a new story of our past, present and future. I’ve kept your words of encouragement of our future with me all these years. I knew I was going to marry you and we would have children one day.”
George remembers that conversation so many years ago and as he put this new necklace around my neck… he remembered that moment. He remembered our humble beginnings ten years ago. We had gotten so caught up in schedules, deadlines, projects, and kids activities that ten years really do feel like they flew by. It was a moment I will never forget, as I had been wanting a larger diamond necklace as a representation of our large family of six and the better seasons we are experiencing now in our lives now.
It was such a pleasant surprise, but caught me completely off guard in the best way possible. It made this Mother’s Day truly unforgettable with my own piece from Jared’s Brilliant Moments collection. I love the way it feels like every piece is designed for every special moment in a woman’s life – from the birth of her first child to the graduation of her first grandchild. Having this necklace, with all that it means in our lives, is something that will always remind me of all the love that surrounds us.
At Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, feelings are turned into jewelry. They are dedicated to helping guests like you and me find or make the perfect piece to express the way we feel about their loved ones. Because behind every piece of jewelry is a unique story to tell, and they work with renowned designers to deliver exclusive pieces, only available to their guests.
Pieces from Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry speak in a way that goes beyond words, and I appreciate their large selection of fine jewelry for any milestone and occasion and at all price points. What story or feeling does your jewelry give you?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry. The opinions and text are all mine.
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