Something Old...

My Nan was a wonderful woman. After my Pop passed away she sold their home and came to live with us, allowing me the privilege being able to really get to know her. She lived in a granny flat downstairs because: a) it was there, and b) my folks didn't want her feel like she'd lost her independence as well as her husband. I spent a lot of time with Nan and got to be really close to her. We would chat and have cups of tea, or some times we would just sit together. I'll never forget how deeply touched I was when she called me her 'little mate'. That was the nickname she'd had for Poppy.

Nan died a four years ago now. Each year I forget how long it's been because she still seems so vivid in my mind. It blows me out to realise how long it's been. I still miss her and I have a bit of a cry about it sometimes. Most of the time I think of her and smile about who she was and how lucky I am to have known her. I wish Leigh could have known her. He appeared in my life just a little too late for Nan, but I know she would have liked him. She would have liked how supportive and loving he is to me. She would have liked his cheekiness and boyish charm. I think also, she could have seen a bit of herself in him. They both have this inherent generousity and sense of moral good. They are both gentle and treat people well, but they get fiercely protective of their loved ones. I love them both dearly and I know they would have loved eachother too.

It's no competition for having Nan around, but I am really lucky to have her engagement ring as my own. It's a beautiful ring, made in the early 1900s.

My Mum had it and was talking for a while about getting it enlarged for her finger, or doing something with the setting. So, when Leigh and I were talking about getting engaged and what kind of ring I would like, I didn't think it would be possible for me to have it. Still, I showed it to him one day when we were visiting my folks and told him that this is the kind of ring I would like to have. This was because I really like that decorative style of ring, and because I wanted to pay homage to my Nan.

I'm sure you can imagine how surprised I was when we finally made it offical and Leigh whipped out this ring. I thought it was so much beyond the realms of possibility that I literally thought to myself 'How did he find a ring that looks exactly like Nan's?!' He had been very brave and asked my folks if he could sneakily take it for my engagement ring. Understanding the sentimental significance, they were thrilled with the idea and gave it to him right away. He foxed it off to a jeweler for buffing and downsizing and then hid it in the cupboard till my birthday last year. On my birthday he presented me with the ring (much to my surprise) and 'The Question' (which was not so surprising).

Everyday since then I have looked at this ring and been reminded of two of the most beautiful people I've known. I really am the luckiest girl.