July 25, 2024:
Returns are getting hard to believe. My last return was of a ring I found 2 years ago. The owner contacted me after seeing a post of another ring I had returned.
While out detecting with a friend we stopped at one beach, just because it was on our way home. It took about 5 minutes to grab our gear from the van, reminisce about finding a platinum ring many years ago and head for the water. At the water’s edge very close to where I had found a platinum ring I was approached by Mike. As Mike and I talked about how long I had been detecting, some questions about the art of detecting, he then asked if I had found a platinum ring 8 or so years ago. Mike had been tossing a ball when his wedding band took to the water and hid from the group of people that participated in the search for it. The band was platinum and had a date inscribed on it. I told him I may just have his ring at home if my memory was not fooling me. I asked him to get my contact information from the back of my van in the parking lot. With the info he could contact me and after I got home I would look for the ring then contact him, one way or an other.
That day, so long ago, after Mike’s group had left the beach, I showed up to enjoy an hour or so of hobby detecting before last light. My first target that night was a platinum ring right on the water’s edge. Those still on the beach as I was leaving for the night did not know of anyone losing a ring. Nor did I know of Mike losing his ring at that time.
Fast forward 11 years (Back to today): At home the third ring I looked at had the date of 3-25-00, I had Mike’s ring. Yes, it had been 11 years ago, my records showed the platinum ring was found on August 16, 2013; boy how time passes so rapidly. His reply to my call was that he would, if it was OK with me, be on his way to my house after dinner to be reunited with his wedding band.
The entire family showed up for the reunion of the ring and its owner, pictures and a few stories. What another wonderful story ending with a bunch of smiles and happiness that made for a most memorable vacation on Cape Cod.
Rick, Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I’ll try and add a little more color to the story, although you pretty much summed it up well.
We have been going to a beach at Sheep Pond for the last 20 years, while my parents owned a house nearby. My children grew up going there, and one day while playing catch with my son, I looked down and noticed my ring had gotten knocked off. Despite our best efforts to find the ring that day, we were unsuccessful. It never dawned on me that there were people who were able to find items like this. I just assumed it was gone forever.
Flash forward 11 years, my parents have sold the house, so we aren’t able to get there as much as we used to, but it is still one of our favorite places on the Cape. We were on the Cape this last week, and were able to spend an afternoon at Sheep, as we were packing up to leave for the day, I saw Rick and his friend walk into the water with their metal detectors. I immediately thought to ask them if they had ever found a platinum ring there, and Rick almost immediately said, “I think I have your ring”
I don’t think there is much more I can add to Rick’s story, other than to say thank you for holding onto the ring all these years.
That is such a cool story! Delighted for you, Mike!
Rick, Mike has also lost a few golf balls over the years. Do you happen to have those too?