Thank you for the kind words below. I feel like we not only picked up a nice ring, but also a distant friend. Sometimes you never know who you’ll run into, but you seem like a great person with a wonderful energy.
Details–well, it worked out that the ring was trapped in the ice and snow that weekend. So, when our last day before vacation came (a Tuesday), I suggested that we go out after work and get a nice dinner. The first place I tried to take us was this nice lake and park not too far from here, but it was dark and closed (and Judy was a little nervous about that). So, I went to plan B–there was this beautiful Holiday Lights celebration at a park not too far from here. 3.5 miles in a warm car driving through pretty amazing displays. Add to that it was dark, pretty lights, 2 feet of snow still on the ground and a frozen lake. Judy was really having a great time, and then when we pull up by a frozen lake, and a peacock display (which is a sign of good fortune and wealth in her culture), I surprised her with it. She was totally shocked and then quickly said yes and was in a daze for the rest of the ride. We then went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants which happened to have a variety of dishes from her culture (she’s Taiwanese). It’s funny–was a total surprise for her even though we recently discussed designs. She thought that it would have taken you guys several more weeks to do it, and was suspicious when I was mentioning how great it would be to have Chinese New Year and Valentine’s day on the same weekend (she thought I would do it then in February). Also, I got the package without her knowing, so she didn’t have a clue.
As I mentioned, she loves the ring. She’s constantly playing with it and looking at it, and even just a little while ago was commenting on another little nuance that she really likes about it (the smooth progression and rounding on the band). She comments regularly with how great of a job was done on it.
Without torturing you any more, we’ve just taken some pictures. They’re attached below (these are reduced in size). I’ll send the large resolution ones in a separate email (rather large).
Happy New Year and thanks!
Emanuel (and Judy sends her best wishes too)