On October 11th 1947, I was anticipating my date with Wayne Guffy. I knew he had ordered a set of rings and they were to arrive at any time. Wayne arrived at our house at the preset time and never mentioned the ring at all. I assumed it had not come in the mail yet and was disappointed. We went to a movie at Wakita. After the movie, we drove into my parents yard, where we always did our "smooching" (which was not a lot, because both of us were not the smooching kind) Wayne acted uneasy and squirmed around a while before leaning across me and opening the glove box. He fumbled around a short time in the dark before bringing out this white plastic ring case. He opened it and took out both rings to show me. In doing so, he dropped the wedding ring on the floor of the car. He found it after a bit of searching. He chuckled and told me that it was the most important one anyway.

The over one quarter carat diamond engagement ring with two side diamonds was more than I had ever expected. I had not seen many diamonds of this size before. I did plenty of "oohs and aahs" along with some tight hugs. I wanted to share the excitement with my parents and could barely contain myself. I could tell Wayne was really disappointed that I was thinking of ending our evening so soon. He said something about wanting me to stay with him longer, I understood his feelings and stayed. I finally went into the house and awakened mama and daddy. They were gracious about my interruption of their sleep. They made nice comments and went back to bed. I was so excited I slept very little that night

That next Monday, as I got ready to go to school, I turned the ring over because I wanted my best friend, Thelma, to see it first. Thelma is my sister-in-law now. I had not much more than got on the bus and we were almost to the Terrill place, when Billie Dunklebarger, a girl in the class above me, spotted the ring and asked to see it, I extended my hand and showed her the turned over ring. She did not buy my act and asked me to turn it over. I complied, and everyone had the same expression that I gave Wayne when they saw it. I know I was beaming and everybody that got on the bus from then on was told about it. Billie asked me if she could try it on. I had planned not to take it off, but she persisted and I let her. She turned it every direction she could think of, while watching the brilliant sparkle it gave off. I got it back none too soon for me.

Of course, my ring was the talk of school and got much attention the rest of the week. I was a high school Junior at the time and prom time and class rings were in the "air", so I decided that since I would marry Wayne after I turned 17 on Jan 23, 1948, I would quit school to save my parents the expense of a prom dress and school ring. Little did I know then that Wayne would keep asking me to marry him every time we went on a date. I finally said "yes", so we made plans for Saturday November 22, 1947, just a week later.

Since I received my engagement ring, it has been repaired twice, reset and then restored and finally soldered into one ring. I still wear it and will never have it replaced. I am not sure which son or daughter will inherit it when I am through with it, but it will be one who will cherish it's memory as I have all of our married life.

Wayne died 6 months ago today and will not celebrate our engagement with me any more. Memories are precious and I remember Oct. 11, 1947 as clear as it was yesterday. Most of you have read this story before, but it makes me feel better sending it again. Ashley placed a big pot of bronze mums on his grave for me today. May Wayne rest in peace. He earned it.



Music playing is: "You Will Always Be My Baby"
Any copyright remains with the artist.
The music is provided for entertainment purposes only.
There is no commercial use of it.



Created September 21, 2016

Updated: 14 June, 2021

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