Saturday, 24 March 2007 | Sweetness, I was only joking

"I'm not having a very good day. Will you say something to cheer me up?"

"Okay: I got you a ring."

"...really? I'm kind of surprised." ... "You really got me a ring?"

"Uh, no. I, um, said that because I thought it might cheer you up," he said sheepishly.

"For the record, that didn't really work very well."

[later that day]

"Would you really want a ring?"

I'm not really a big jewelry person, but presents are always nice. So I said, "Sure, but it doesn't have to be fancy. I'd be happy with one made of bubble gum or string or something."

A few hours later, I sat beside Todd while he crafted a ring out of paper and tape. I wasn't paying attention, so I was genuinely surprised when he handed me my new homemade band. He'd printed the word RAVEN in all caps across the top, a nickname he'd given me when I dyed my hair black. I liked it.

The next day, after a stranger noticed my ring and wondered if my name was actually "Raven," Todd suggested, "Why don't we get you a real ring?"

I ended up getting one that was made by a local jewelry designer. They didn't have it in my size, and it was particularly cold that day, so I've since had to return to the store in warmer weather, while wearing two sets of gloves, to re-measure my index finger. It's good I went back, because the sunshine brought it up a half-size.

It's finally ready, which is good, because Todd's cat half-devoured my RAVEN ring.