Just after 3 p.m., I got the following text “Hey Jim, my name is Mike. I’m at Sunset Beach and just lost my wedding band in the surf. Any chance you can help me?” I called the number attached to the text and spoke with Mike. I asked him about what time and how deep he was when he lost it. He replied he had lost it about an hour prior and was 2 feet deep. A quick glance at the tide tables and he was just about high tide when he lost it. So, I told him I could be there in about 30-40 minutes. I figured by the time I got there; the tide would be out far enough that the ring should be calf deep. Mike agreed to have me come and I was out the door.
When I arrived at their rental house, Mike’s sister met me in the driveway. We walked down to the beach access, and she pointed Mike out to me. I met Mike and I got a few more answers and then he led me out in the surf where he thought he lost his ring. He took me farther out than I thought his ring would be, but that was ok, I’d rather search more than less area. I followed him back in, set a landmark on the beach to guide my lines the best I could, and started a grid search. On my second line coming back in towards shore, I hit a great signal and knew I found his ring. It took me 3 scoops to get his ring out of the sand in calf deep water. When I got his ring in the scoop, I shook the scoop under water to clear the sand out. I was positive I had his ring when I heard the clatter of his ring hitting the metal of the scoop. I pulled out his ring and started walking to the beach. I watched Mike as he got out of his beach chair and start walking towards me. He had a look of uncertainty on his face until I held his ring up and then his face turned to disbelief. He told me I was amazing and then said that took maybe 4 minutes. I’ll take that!
Mike – Thank you for calling and allowing me to help get your ring back where it belongs. Have a great rest of your vacation and a safe trip back home.
Jim
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