It’s no secret I am a bit of a sap. When we packed away the many keepsakes from our wedding I was careful not to put them all in to a box. A box we’d not see again until we sold our house or Emily had a hankering to take a nostalgic walk with me. All too often we box up our most precious things to “keep them safe.” I contend we should use them. Touch them. Let them remind us of the days long gone.
Our ringbearer carried our wedding rings on a little plate. A plate that says “With This Ring.” (Purchased on Etsy from Paloma’s Nest!) I’d considered framing it in a shadow box, but instead decided to slide it in to the box of Christmas ornaments. Every year we could take it from it’s little box and I could tell the story of how this was the bowl that held our rings before we were married, just days before (or after!) Baby D was conceived. We would hang it on the tree and smile at one another. Sneak a kiss amidst eye rolls and ewww’s from the kids. (I had this all planned out, I am both a sap and a planner.)
This year we opened the big box of ornaments and it was on top. Em carefully removed the box and said “Mom, you should do this one” just as MQD said “Be careful with that one.” I carried it in to the kitchen to shorten the long red strings we had used to tie our rings to it. This was when my plan started to go awry.
I dropped it on the floor in the kitchen. And fell to my knees as though Lee Harvey Oswald had shot it from my hands. Stunned. Sobbing. Em rounded the corner and began to cry hysterically. MQD followed, fully expecting to see a dead animal, I am certain. One we own.
Four, maybe five seconds, I cried. And then I stood up. And pulled my shit together. This was not a sign. Our marriage did not crumble on the floor in the kitchen. We are tougher than a ceramic plate. And we have Liquid Nails. 
I might have cried a teeny bit more as I got the glue out from the laundry room cabinets, behind the door. Where Em couldn’t see, my face tucked in to MQD’s neck. I think I said something profound and explanatory. Something like “I am so fucking sentimental.” And then I got to gluing.
Next year when we take this little ceramic bowl out from its box, there will be two stories. The one about how this little bowl held our wedding rings. We will still sneak a kiss and smile. And then the three of us, Em, MQD and I will look at the baby and I will say “I dropped this bowl on the floor the Christmas I was pregnant with you. I was all butterfingers and bat shit crazy.”
Marriages and families and even keepsakes are just one story piled on top of another. Some good, some not so good. But it’s a great book. So you just keep on reading.
The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It’s full of charts and facts and figures
And instructions for dancing
But I—
I love it when you read to me
And you—
You can read me anything.~Peter Gabriel
Excitement on the side 
Pingback: Christmas Shoes | Excitement on the side
I love that Emily immediately started crying too, no questions asked. Also, maybe more importantly, I am now jealous that you guys have TMNT pants. Because I love the turtles.
Love your musings Kelly… I am attempting to set a few things free from their boxes!
It’s so liberating!!
“I was all butterfingers and bat shit crazy.” <— The baby has nothing to do with this.
Nope, that’s all you, babe. Makin’ me all hot and bothered in your TMNT pants. XO
I have come to the philosophy that I will NOT tote along unpacked boxes of special things (as I’ve done for YEARS). I will unpack and cherish these things. They make me happy. Reading your blog makes me happy (even if it always makes me cry too ;). Peter Gabriel makes me happy. I’m a sap too…. Much love mama! <3
Very thoughtful…nice post
Thanks!! And thanks for “stopping by.”
I’d have burst into tears & I’m NOT preggers. Thank God for glue!!
Ha! Yup. And it was right where it belonged, the glue. But only because we just moved in.
Love this so much. I am firmly in the keepsakes should be used and touched camp too. I break them ALL THE TIME too. I new the second this post started that it was going to break. SOOOOOO happy that you glued it together and hung it anyway. To me, that makes it even more special. <3
I am not in the least bit surprised you are a keepsakes should be used girl.
Remember the plaque above the stove in our kitchen — “if momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”? I tossed that plaque when it broke because the marriage behind it wasn’t strong enough to support its cracks and I guess I knew it even then. Yours is, so hang that cracked ring plate with pride. Just another tiny fissure glued back together to make it stronger. Good for you all. Merry Christmas, kiddo!
Good marriages and families are exactly like your ceramic plate, it’s the glue that holds us all together! Kepp on writing Kelly, you have a gift and I am so happy that you share it with us!
Many wishes and blessings over the Christmas season and for all your New Begininnings!
Thanks so much, Kelly.
Dear, thank you so much for sharing your world with me. You and your blog have inspired me more than you’ll ever know.
And you really got me today with the Peter Gabriel. Damn it, I love that song.
And you. So happy that you are happy, my friend.
You know that goes both ways. The inspiring. XXOO
I love you guys. And, i was terrified i was going to break that little plate thinngy too, and the giant vase, and, and, and…
Cheers to conquering fear and adapting to life!
Ha! You, my friend, are the reason so many of these items made it safely back to our home!! XO