Christina McCree – Ring Finder for North Alabama and surrounding areas…call or text ASAP, anytime 24/7…610-504-6135
I received a text message on Wednesday morning (September 15, 2021) from Justin stating that he had lost his wedding band and wanted to know more about the metal detecting service we provide. I asked if Justin could please give me a call to discuss. I talked on the phone with Justin and his wife, Mandy, telling them how the process works. Justin is a youth Minister at the Willowbrook Baptist Church here in Huntsville, Alabama. The church holds a youth event a few times a year called the “Legends of the Pit.” There’s a grassy water retention area outside the back of the church. They hose that spot with a lot of water, then they have some muddy and messy games in the pit. It’s a really nice way for them to let loose, have some fun, and share the gospel with the community. Willowbrook and a few other churches have been holding this event for about 20 years now. I told Justin and Mandy that I’d be more than happy to help look for Justin’s ring.
I left for Willowbrook right after I got off from work that same day. I met with Justin, and he showed me exactly where he was standing in the pit area. There was one main spot where he was tossing props into the pit throughout one of the Legends of the Pit events this past Sunday. Justin was wet and muddy, so we thought that was the most likely spot his wedding band would be at. Justin also told me that his ring fits him a little loose and it’s fallen off before, but he’s always been able to find it. He normally takes the ring off for this event, but the day was hectic, and he forgot this time.
I started a north/south grid search by where Justin was standing at during the event. I worked my way over to the main pit area and then to the side where Mandy was sitting at watching the event. Justin told me that his ring is white gold, so I was only checking signals in the men’s gold range. I ended up finding 2 other rings, both marked 925 (sterling silver). I also found a sharp ended tent stake, which I was happy to remove from the pit to prevent any potential injuries.
I cleared the spot Justin was standing at and the main mud pit area. After about an hour into my search, I was working my grid by where Justin went to see Mandy at in the corner. I received a nice and shallow 10 on my Minelab Equinox 800. I bent down to check it with my Garrett Pro-Pointer AT. I could just barely see it with my eyes, but I could make out the shiny rim of a ring covered up by the grass (photo included below). It was a men’s 14K white gold wedding ring and based on the size and inscription on the inside (ECC 4:12), I knew this had to be Justin’s wedding band! I took some close-up photos of the ring and gave Justin a call. He didn’t answer, but a church member saw me coming up to the door and greeted me. She told me that Justin was inside with his youth group. Mostly everyone knew that Justin had lost his ring, so she asked if I had found it. I said yes and showed her. She was so excited! I told her that I was going to surprise Justin by doing a fake out with one of the 925 rings I had found during the search. This 925 marked ring was a simple silver band and was a very small size, so it definitely couldn’t be his ring.
The lady took me inside the church. Justin came out of the auditorium and met me in the hallway. I told him a found a ring and he got excited. I opened my hand with the 925 ring sitting there and asked if this was his wedding band. Justin still had a smile on his face, but he said no, unfortunately, it wasn’t his ring. I then pulled out his real wedding band and said, “hey, I also found this ring.” Wow!!! Such joy, happiness, and relief on his face and in his voice. He gave me a big thank you and hug. It was a great surprise reveal! His wife, Mandy had just walked out of the auditorium and Justin told her the good news. Mandy came over and gave me a big hug and thank you as well. I then learned that when Justin went to see Mandy during the Legends of the Pit event, he had reached in his pocket and pulled something out. Having a loose-fitting ring and wet hands definitely would’ve caused the wedding band to easily slip off.
Justin then took me in the auditorium and on stage in front of his youth group. He introduced me as Christina McCree, a member of The Ring Finders. Justin then held up his wedding band (symbolizing his marriage of 19 years and counting) and said that Christina found it! Loud applause and cheering erupted from the youth group. I said thank you all so much, but I give all glory to God. The cheering got louder. It was really such an amazing experience, and all in the house of the Lord. I’m truly blessed! Huge thank you to Willowbrook Baptist Church for allowing me to come out and conduct a search.
I really enjoyed meeting Justin, Mandy, and the Willowbrook Baptist Church family. I’m so happy that I could help and thank God for another successful recovery! Proud to be a member of The Ring Finders!
The first photo below is a picture I took of the mud pit area after my search. I circled the area where Justin was standing at and put an X where I found his ring.
If you or someone you know has lost a ring, jewelry, or other metal item, please contact a member of The Ring Finders.
