A: Almost 13 years!?

Q: How long have you been married?

That's right. This June 21st, Mike and I will have been married 13 years. I must say it has been wonderful. To some, 13 years is a long time, to others, we are barely getting started. We are happy where we've been, where we are and where we will go from here. I'm excited to see what is next for us especially since Michael continues to get better with age. I will not be trading HIM in. :)

When we were married, Michael choose a beautiful engagement ring and band set that served me well. From the beginning, we thought it was modest and that we might like to 'upgrade' after 10 years. Incidentally, my engagement ring has taken such a beating over the years and despite many professional efforts to fix the ring, I haven't worn it in 2+ years. ;( Instead I wore my wedding band with a really cool silver and cubic zirconia ring I bought for $22.00. I got constant compliments on it and it served me well. When our 10 year anniversary approached, I was day dreaming and window shopping for my big new ring with a bigger diamond right? We had money designated and saved but as the days got closer, I started feeling more and more disgusted with myself and my obsession with this 'ring'. (btw, it surprising I'd ever care about something so "materialistic" as I'm so practical, I hardly spend a dime on myself) I felt more and more guilty that I was wiling to spend so much... who am I trying to impress or something along those lines. Finally, gratefully, I changed my mind and forgot about it.

About a year ago, I decided I really needed to either do something about my original ring once and for all or I really needed to figure out something more practical costing but beautiful to replace it. (get ready for ring education. lol) As I brainstormed about what I might like, a thought came to mind. I once had a friend who had been told (whether it's true or not, neither of us know) that at sometime in history engagement rings would have the future husbands birthstone as the center/main stone etc etc. I started my investigation. Mike's birthstone is Aquamarine, I love it, very pretty too. I even found some ideas that I liked, so much that I decided I was going to go ahead and replace the original ring. Now I just had to find the perfect one. Unfortunately I was told that Aquamarine stones are not very strong (again, could have been incorrect information but I went with it) so I decided I had to come up with a new plan. A set back. I didn't want to use my birthstone; Amethyst cause the purple would be just too much for me to wear everyday. Hmmm... so, I started thinking... I know some gemstones come in different colors than commonly known. I decided to look for a stronger stone than the Aquamarine and even look to see if it had other colors. As searched I found a setting I LOVED but just had to find the right stone. (this was already exciting that after a year of looking I was making progress!) After giving up for a few months, discouraged that I was caring about it again too much, I regrouped. I decided to give my birthstone another try, see if it came in another color.... IT DOES!!! :) whoo hoo. Not only does it, I have found a most beautiful ring that is Green Amethyst with cushion cut and has a diamond (very small) surround. I am so thrilled to have found it! It is still honoring the original idea of Michael's birthstone by being green but it's my birthstone too. :) The gemstone is great. Whatever I am wearing it adapts to that color. I posted two pictures of it from the top cause it shows this multi color type look. I tried to show a side view but... well, I tried. ;) Here is the ring and new band:

Oh, did I mention that not only do I love it and don't care if anyone else does (but I hope they do like it cause it really is pretty) but the set was under $300.00! It's 10k white gold and.... I bought it at Walmart.com! :) Oh yeah, I know you're already headed to Walmart.com to look for yourself. You will NOT be sorry. ;) Here is the link to the Amethyst ring: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10891922

here is the link to the band: http://www.walmart.com/ip/1-4-Carat-Diamond-Stackable-10kt-White-Gold-Ring/10891936

I cannot even tell you how happy I am with my new wedding set. Michael is so happy with it too(cause I am) and I look forward to wearing it for many years to come. AND it didn't cost me a fortune! ;) xoxo