I owe Matt and Elise an apology for taking so long to post their story but I wanted to make sure that I did them in the right order because Elise’s rings ended up being the 99th and 100th official return since I started doing this. I love thinking back on all of the people I have been able to help. Matt and Elise are the perfect ones for lucky #100 because not only do they have a great story but they are wonderful people! They have been married for 15 years and were down in Orange Beach with some friends and their family for some well deserved vacation. Elise had gone out in the Gulf with her youngest son William to throw the football when all of a sudden both of Elise’s rings came flying off with the ball. This was the first day of their vacation and it had taken an immediate turn for the worse. Elise noted where she was and came up to the beach and she and Matt immediately began looking online for someone who could help. Luckily, Matt called me and I was eager to help. I made the hour drive and brought my wife Jeannie. She has been my lucky charm and I thought it only right that she be there for the potential 100th return. When we got there Matt and Elise pointed out where they were and I quickly realized that the knee deep water was out where the sand bar drops back off into the Gulf. Nevertheless, I set a bearing on a distant condo and began my grid search. Meanwhile Jeannie talked to Matt and Elise and tried to calm their fears. She learned that they had a true love story. Matt is a farmer and back years ago he saved his money and went and bought these rings for Elise and got down on one knee. Now it had been so long that Matt didn’t even remember what the rings were made out of. I think that is a perfect example of the kind of irreplaceable things I get to find. It doesn’t matter what they are made out of or the monetary value. It’s the memories and the sentiment that make them absolutely invaluable. Meanwhile, back in the Gulf, I had my machine turned wide open so I could hear everything and I was on a mission. An hour later though, I only had one dime to show for it and everyone was getting worried. A man waded out to talk to me and explained that he was going to try and find it with his feet. I tried to be nice and explain that he was kind of hurting the situation and not helping but he was not to be deterred so I went around him. After expanding the area a bit I had Elise go over again where she thought it might be. I told her that there was no way it had rolled up the bar but if she had flung it far enough it might be a little shallower. The man had finally left after a fruitless search so I started there and proceeded to work shallower. Finally, out of nowhere, I hear the screaming sound of gold in my ears. In a millisecond, I knew that not only were these the rings, but they were together, right on top and they were almost certainly gold. I very gently scooped down deep to make sure I didn’t scratch one and pulled out both rings in one scoop, together like they were meant to be. Y’all, I can’t even explain the excitement and the disbelief and happiness that proceeded to radiate from that beach when I walked out. I hope the next 100 are every bit as meaningful! By the way, the rings are 18k and diamonds, just as awesome as the people they belong to. Congratulations Matt and Elise and thank you for trusting me with your memories.
