If you have been following me you know that I have carefully chosen the name of a few of what I consider to be my signature pieces. The Sam Necklace is named after one of my best friends. The matching Francis Earrings are named after my husband because he believes you always need the set! The Thomas Ring is named after a friend’s father who left us too soon and whose sudden passing lit the fire under my bum to get this going. These three pieces were part of my First Flight Collection which I officially launched in the fall of 2018.
I had always wanted to create a stacking ring. I typically stack my rings on a daily basis so this only made sense. I finally created the very simple pear side set ring with a band that was thick enough that the rings would sit comfortably and the stones when each turned a bit would sit nicely together. When I got my first two prototypes I was STOKED!
I think I first posted these when my husband and I were on a work trip for him in the Bahamas. I was happy with the response on my IG post because people seemed to like them! In fact, my friend Alison commented on that post and later she placed a custom order for one with a blue topaz! While I was there I thought about naming the ring after the resort since that’s kinda where it made its debut. We stayed at the Melia Resort in the Bahamas and while the resort was okay I must admit I was mesmerized by the beach. The water colors were just amazing. This beach girl was in her happy place! So that was one idea.
Next I had stopped into a local store with Sam and her husband while Frank was on another work trip. The girl behind the counter who helped us gushed over Sam’s jewelry and her Sam Necklace. Sam pointed out that I was the designer and she gushed some more. I probably blushed. The next day I thought about how awesome that was and considered naming it after that young lady behind the counter. But the next time I went in and she helped me it was purely transactional. It’s a busy place and I would never expect her to remember me but there wasn’t much customer service that day just your typical, “What can I get you?” Followed by, “Thanks have a good night.” I knew when I left that was out.
Sometimes things happen that are unexpected yet bring the most joy. I’m a planner and my OCD kicks in when I don’t know what the plan is for a night out or a vacation day. I’m working on that. But don’t we often find that when we just GO and let the night unfold in whichever manner the universe has planned for us it turns out to be one of these: Oh my gosh it was the best night EVER!
I met Jodie in 9th grade. She went to Lewes and I went to Rehoboth so I’d really never met her before that is just how our school system is/was set up. Our district was working out what to do with freshman classes and they decided to put our three 9th grade classes in one building together and it would only be us. It was like a pilot program because honestly I’m not sure they had room for us at the high school yet which at the time had always only been 10th – 12th grades and 9th grade was still part of the three different junior highs. Our 9th grade class was SO BONDED by this it was amazing. I still feel how lucky we were to be that class – the only class – to ever have that experience together. The following year, our 10th grade class and the three 9th grade classes all went to the high school together. Our class was rock solid as we made the transition. Jodie and I played sports together, had classes together, had sleep overs together – you get the idea. Today, she is still one of my best friends. I decided a while ago I didn’t want to have children but for that fleeting moment that I thought I did and I thought about the terror of birthing a child my mind went to her and I thought she will need to be in the room with me. I am not sure who else I will let in but she’s a definite! HA! I don’t know it was just one of those feelings that she would be my person. Out of our little foursome of friends I’ve always thought of her as the mom and maybe that is because she comes from a big Italian family with lots of brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews. She just had that mom thing about her.
I went to Towson for my freshman year of college and met Ray during my first semester as he lived on the floor above me. I watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation for the first time with him and his roommate. Ahhh the memories of being away at college! I hated it. I was so homesick even though I was two hours away. Jodie had decided on a school in Florida and it just ended up not being the right place for her. She was back home in the late fall and I told her to come stay with me and my roommate (who also went to high school with us) for a weekend. She joined me at Towson for the second semester and even got placed on my exact floor! I was SO EXCITED! This was the winter of 1995.
Flash forward to July 1, 2000 when I got to be a bridesmaid in Jodie and Ray’s wedding. Oh good Lord I’m tearing up thinking about it. One thing I remember about that day is when she walked in to the room where we were holed up in the church before the ceremony I started crying a bit because she looked so stunningly beautiful. She was the first of our little four friend group to get married so this was a really big deal!
I remember the day Jodie called me to tell me she was pregnant. She called during my work day when we were still living in California and I remember having to call her back. But I KNEW why she was calling. Just like I knew when Rita was calling to tell me she was engaged. When your bonded to people you just have that sixth sense. We had all moved back to the beach when she had her second son. I was so excited to be the first of the friends to get to hold him.
Flash forward to today. Their family now includes BabyD3. Their third son was born a few months ago and his middle name is Trae. This represents the third edition to their family. When I made these rings I said to myself, one is good, two is better and three is best. I had found the name of my ring and the meaning and little man behind it couldn’t be more perfect.
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