Feel-Good Stories to Read Online: The Ring (Short Stories for Love)
On their 50th anniversary, Phil finds himself unable to continue a cherished tradition with his wife Joyce. In this short stories for love, can a simple, heartfelt gesture reveal the true depth of their lifelong love?
The Ring (Short Stories for Love)
I’ll never forget the first day I met her. Joyce was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. It wasn’t just her physical beauty, but the warm, caring person she was inside that captivated me completely. From that moment, I knew she was someone special, a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love.
Two years flew by, filled with laughter and love, and before I knew it, Valentine’s Day 1974 arrived. It was the day we stood under an old oak tree in a simple, heartfelt marriage ceremony. The memory of looking into Joyce’s eyes, feeling the enormity of the moment, was as clear as if it were yesterday. “Will you make me the happiest man alive and be my Valentine forever, Joyce?” I had asked.
Her eyes, sparkling with unshed tears, met mine as she replied, “Yes, Phil. Yes, I will.” Her promise, filled with sincerity and love, sealed our fates together.
Since that day, I have kept a tradition alive that I started on our wedding day. Every year, without fail, I gave Joyce a ring on our anniversary. It was my way of renewing my vows, a symbol of my unending love for her. Some years it was a simple band; other years, it was something more extravagant. But each ring was a celebration of another year spent together, another chapter in our ongoing love story.
Together, Joyce and I raised three wonderful children, each a beautiful reflection of our shared love. They brought joy and purpose to our lives, and watching them grow was a journey in itself.
Now, fifty years after our wedding day, as I sat in our home on Valentine’s Day morning, I held the ring I was prepared to give my beautiful wife. The memories flooded back. I thought of Joyce, her face now etched with lines of time, her hair a beautiful shade of silver. Each crease told a story of laughter, worry, and wisdom. She was more beautiful to me now than ever, and I knew she deserved more than I could offer her.
This year was different for us. Retirement had brought financial caution. I had spent weeks scouring online for an inexpensive ring that could symbolize my love without breaking the bank. Yet, nothing seemed to fit our tightened budget. On the eve of our anniversary, as the jewelry stores closed one by one, my heart sank. I felt like I had let Joyce down, failing to uphold a tradition that meant so much to us.
I couldn’t afford a new ring for her.
That night, as we prepared for bed, Joyce noticed my downcast look. “Is everything okay, Phil?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.
I forced a smile, not wanting to burden her with my worries. “I’m fine, love. Just a bit tired, that’s all.”
But as we lay in bed, I tossed and turned, unable to shake the feeling of disappointment. Then, an idea struck me. Quietly, with Joyce sound asleep beside me, I slipped out of bed and tiptoed downstairs to the kitchen.
There, under the dim light, I began making a paper ring. It wasn’t much, but it would at least let Joyce know I cared.
I folded and glued, determined to create something to represent our half-century of love. It was far from perfect – bulky, uneven, with glue streaks marking its edges. But it was made with the deepest affection and represented my love.
The next morning, with the paper ring in hand, I approached Joyce. “For my beautiful Valentine. Happy 50th Anniversary, Joyce,” I said, my voice quivering as I presented her with the gift.
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Her reaction was one of pure emotion. She turned around, her shoulders shaking as she silently wept. For a moment, I felt terrible. I was consumed with worry, thinking I had caused her sadness.
“Joyce, I’m sorry I couldn’t … ” I began to explain, but she interrupted me.
“Oh, Phil,” she said, turning back to face me, her eyes glistening with tears of joy, “this is the most beautiful gift you’ve ever given me.”
Her response caught me off guard. “You’re not disappointed?”
“Disappointed?” she echoed, smiling through her tears. “How could I be? This ring,” she said, slipping it onto her finger, “it’s not just made of paper. It’s made of fifty years of love, laughter, and memories. It’s every challenge we’ve faced together, every joy we’ve shared. This ring is a reminder of our life together, and there’s nothing more precious than that.”
We embraced, and in that moment, I realized the true depth of our love. It wasn’t about grand gestures or expensive gifts. Our love was in the everyday moments, the struggles we overcame as a team, and the unwavering support we provided each other.
“This is my favorite anniversary yet,” Joyce whispered, her eyes shining with love and joy. “Because it’s not about the ring. It’s about us.”
I looked into my wife’s beautiful eyes and voiced the words with a sincerity that was just as strong as that first day under the oak tree. “Will you make me the happiest man alive, and keep being my Valentine forever, Joyce?”
“Yes, Phil. Yes, I will.”
As we sat together, hand in hand, the paper ring on her finger, I knew that our love was indeed our greatest treasure. It was a love that had blossomed from youthful passion into a deep, enduring bond – a love that was truly for a lifetime.
Written by Kitty Norton. © 2024 Jack and Kitty Norton. Reprinted by permission of Jack and Kitty Media Group. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
