Man’s Wedding Band Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Holden Beach NC
This adventure started when I saw a FB post on the Holden Beach FB Group page stating the author Susie’s nephew had lost his wedding ring while playing catch on the beach. I commented on the post saying, “Call me if I can help” along with a link to my Blog in TheRingFinders.com web page. I also sent her pm with the same information. A short time later Susie responded to my pm and we went back and forth with questions and answers. At the end, I told her I was on my way and gave her my eta.
I arrived shortly before 830 pm and messaged Susie saying, “I’m here.” I met Susie’s nephew, Bailey in the driveway and we walked out on the beach. By now it was getting dark, but Bailey was able to show me the suspected area where he had been playing catch. He said that he and his brother had been playing catch and at some point, his ring slipped off his finger. Luckily, he caught it and put it back on his finger. He then said when they were finished playing catch; he went back to where the family was sitting and joined them. The suspected area wasn’t huge, but it was big enough and it was pitch black by then. After 2 hours of doing grid searches in both the suspected area and where the family had been sitting by headlamp, I wasn’t having any luck. I called it a night, thinking I’d be back the following day with a much larger and expanded search area. I didn’t convey my plan to Bailey when we said goodbye. I had a few things I needed to get done the next day and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t making a promise I couldn’t keep.
Today, Thursday everything had worked out and I let Susie know by messenger that I was coming back up, which she agreed to. Then I called my good friend, Burwin and told him what was going on and asked if he wanted to come along. He quickly agreed, which he always does when I ask. We got there shortly after 5 pm and I showed Burwin the 2 areas. I took the Family gathering spot and Burwin started a grid search in the suspected area. While I’m working my area, Burwin was expanding his grid search across the top of the beach along the high tide line. Burwin then started working an east/west gird search down the sloop towards the oceans, which was about mid tide by then. A short time later, I look to see where Burwin was and I see him raising his arm, which only meant one thing – He Found It! Where he found it was completely on the opposite side of the suspected area of the beach. I knew Bailey, Susie and the rest of the family were at dinner, so I took a picture of the ring and sent it to them. Within a couple of minutes, I got a message from Susie saying “OMG!!!!! They are so happy!!!!” I responded that I was leaving the ring under a shell on a table on the back porch. Another happy ending and a vacation saved.
Burwin – Thanks Buddy!! I appreciate you and all your help!
Bailey – Thanks for trusting us to help get your ring back where it belongs.
Jim
