Sunday, January 18, 2015

sapphire

One winter morning a few years back, I was walking with the dog on the foggy shores of the Puget Sound. We were alone and I was wearing a teal raincoat and drinking Cafe Fiore espresso. The dog was running like mad on the empty beach, barreling towards the sea gulls and crows perched on driftwood, sending them into the air in a burst of wings and noise.

I stopped when I found a piece of blue sea glass lying on the cold sand, just beyond the waves' reach. I stooped to pick it up and then studied it, rubbing it between my thumb and forefinger like a worry stone. It occurred to me, for some reason, that blue glass could make one lucky in love. The idea just landed in my head like a bird.

If blue glass brings good luck in love, what then will a blue gemstone bring? 

You can't know exactly until you're in it. So when I saw the dog bounding towards me on a bright, cobalt day in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a sapphire ring tied to her collar, I studied it the way I did the sea glass that morning on the beach. I held it up against the sun.  

 And then I said Yes. Yes, let's find out. 



56 comments:

Anonymous said...

WooooooHooooo!

Bekah said...

So excited for you!

adventurekate said...

I'm excited for you and all that is to come, and I'm confident that you'll approach marriage with the same vigor, enthusiasm, and poetry that you bring to your writing. Thank you for sharing this big news with us, and for opening your life to your readers in such an honest and heartfelt way with every post! Congrats, and best wishes!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! We have a story we share at camp about finding a blue bead. When you find one, it's pretty special. The blue bread will find you right when you need hope and happiness, right at the same time. I'm so excited you found your blue stone! It's beautiful! Blue stones/beads are so powerful!

Emily said...

May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortunes
and rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
from this day forward.

Stephanie said...

I love this. Congrats to you. A couple of years ago, you sent me blue sea glass and it did its job! I wish you a lifetime of happiness.

Amanda said...

This is just beautiful. Marriage can be a wonderful thing; you two look like naturals. Best wishes <3

Unknown said...

Yeah!! Congrats to you! 😀

Whitney said...

Congratulations to you, Melina! What a grad adventure, marriage.

Marie said...

It is strange to feel so happy for someone I don't know in person, only from a beautifully written blog. But I do. Best wishes for a life of happiness.

Sarah said...

Melina!!!! That is SOOOO exciting!! Congrats!!!!!

afdavis said...

Yay! I've been reading your blog for a while now and I'm so happy you're happy.

Unknown said...

Love.Love.Love!

SmithShack71 said...

Love it!

The second picture - What is that in the air? Hometeam's toy? UFO? Five circles of bokeh signifying five children in your future?

That's some killer blue.

AlaskanAlison said...

Eek! Congrats!! A few years ago you sent me a piece of blue sea glass you had made into a pendant. I'm currently deliriously happy with my husband and we're expecting our first child in a couple of months. That sea glass, man! It works! I'm so excited for you!

Lauren said...

I've been quietly following your blog since your guest post on Kelle Hampton's site and this makes me so joyful for you. Congratulations!

Unknown said...

So sweet, congratulations!!

jennt said...

Really really awesome! And he's pretty hot. I've thought it and now I've said it.

Anonymous said...

But how did the bottles get into the trees?? (They make a beautiful shot, by the way.) Big congratulations!

QueenTage said...

Congratulations!

Wendy said...

Congratulations!!

Erin Marie said...

Gotta love those NC blues. My heart is so so happy, Melina. Cheers to you and your red-headed man. Raising my coffee mug to toast your happiness! Xoxo

Liz Stout said...

YES! So insanely happy for you. Congratulations.

Very odd side story, the night before last I had a dream where I and my ski patrol friends were cleaning up sea glass (it made sense in dream world). As we cleaned I found one large piece of the blue glass and snatched it up amidst surprise looks from others. I told them this glass was special and I needed to send it to someone. How very odd that that dream occurred when it did.

jody said...

Beautiful! And so it begins. The best is yet to be girl!

Jill said...

Congratulations, Melina and David! :)

Anonymous said...

That is Awesome!

Dymbrulee said...

Congrats! Couldn't be happier for you two!

Unknown said...

Congratulations!! Beautiful!

Seeing Each Day said...

What a special way to be proposed to. I'm genuinely happy for the three of you- thank you for letting us know. Renee

Meaghan said...

yay, yay, YAY!!

meg bird said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! It's been wonderful to read through this journey of yours. So glad you finally found the right relationship for you :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

Marie said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I am SO VERY happy for you. You deserve this happiness Melina. Love - love - love!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I can't wait to see all of the beautiful ginger babies you make! ;)

April said...

Squeal!!!! Long time reader but seldom commenter. CONGRATS!!!!!!! My engagement ring was an emerald but my wedding ring is a sapphire. Many blessings to you both!!!!

Unknown said...

What!? This is so rad and you are too. I'm so happy for you!

Rachel said...

I found your writing space -- I hate the word blog --nearly two years ago (how on earth has it been so long?!) and have lapped up every word you've written since then. Like so many others, it's weird to feel connected and genuinely happy for a person I only know through this virtual world, but it's true! I am SO happy for you. Congratulations, a million times over.

Maria said...

I've been reading your blog for awhile now. I think you're awesome & I'm so happy for you! Best wishes to you & David.

Jes said...

So redonc-a-donc excited for you!!!

kimalli1 said...

Yay! Congratulations Melina! All the best!

Unknown said...

Amazing. Congratulations to you both! :)

Jenna at Tinyfootsteps xx

Suzie said...

Congratulations!! What wonderful news and what a fabulous proposal!! Blue glass/jewels are my favourite too. So happy for you! We've just celebrated our 10th anniversary and it's been an adventure!! Hope yours is too!

Carey King said...

Ah congratulations!!! Every part of life is so beautiful when you have your perfect other half to share it with, I can never say enough how marriage has been the best most wonderful part of my life because my husband makes everything so amazing even on the rough days. So happy for you guys!! Wishing you many many happy years together!

Kristen F said...

Yes, yes, yes. So happy. I'm also a long time reader but don't often comment. So happy for these amazing directions your life is taking. Huge congrats!!!

Anonymous said...

truly
madly
deeply
happy
4
you!

~Shari (a long time reader)

Liz said...

how perfectly wonderful! congratulations to you both :) Im a long time reader and almost never comment, but THIS warrants a comment! Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness.

Sarah said...

Congratulations! What a fantastic adventure.

Jessica said...

I was wondering when this might happen! I am so, so happy for you friend. It bubbles warmth in my chest to see you so happy and comfortable with someone who obviously treats you so wonderfully.
All my love Lina!

happyherestill.blogspot.com

Mariel said...

This was so, so wonderful to read! Like some of the other commenters, I've been following your blog for years. We're around the same age, and I've enjoyed reading about your journey. What a happy turn in the road! Congrats to you, to your love, and to Home Team!

Stacy Monaghan said...

Congratulations!! Love the joy in these photos!

Anonymous said...

Very exciting! I am happy for you, friend whom I have not met.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the next wonderful journey!

Sarah Y said...

My heart is so happy for you! I so hoped I would read this post when I fell for your blog years ago, and now, here it is :) Blessings <3

Lauren said...

Ever since your guest post on ETST, I have been hoping to read this one day. So very happy for you!!

T.J. said...

back during college days, my girlfriend Angie and I were on a mean-it quest to collect and display as many Sky Vodka bottles as we could. Vodka is not my liquor of choice which made things a bit more difficult, but man you should have seen our loft! Blue is most certainly lucky- congratulations to the three of you :)

Anonymous said...

Melina, congratulations to you and David!! I can't seem to get into my Google account any more so haven't commented in a while. That ring is exquisite and I'm very happy for both of you. I am, beaming, although we don't know each other. Blogs, huh ?! Great news!!
Lucy