September 24th, 2022
The exchange of vows, barefoot in the sand, had taken place on a Cape Cod beach just hours before I was called. All the guests had made their way to the toasting venue. When I arrived to search for a lost set of rings the wedding reception was in full swing and the toasting to the Bride and Groom had just begun. It was not Brigid or Sean’s ring but one of the guest’s, a set of engagement, wedding and anniversary rings that had been soldered together. Linda had participated in a “barefoot walk in the sand” and was putting her shoes back on when her ring set took flight and buried itself in the sand. The reception venue nor the local police department had a contact number for TheRingFinders.com. But one of the guests had met Eleanor of J&E Enterprise, Yarmouth’s metal detecting sales and called her for help. I, in turn, received a call from Eleanor for help as she was unable to aid in a search for the rings.
With the information I was given I was on my way to keep the enjoyment of a wedding in the correct spirit. I initially stopped at the Cafe’s main building only to find it closed for the day. I had been told the ring had been lost behind the Cafe, so I drove down the road to the beach. It also was vacant. I had no return call that I had made for further information when I remembered that there was a main outdoor dining area beyond the Cafe’s adjacent marina. I drove past several boat that had been pulled for the year and were ready to be racked. Then under a large tent I saw the reception celebration and the “Toasting” was being recited.
The DJ, at the tent’s entrance, knew I was coming and that everyone was waiting for me to show up and find the ring. He escorted me through the center of the tent with great fanfare. Then out of the tent to a sandy area ribbon-ed off so the ring would not be stepped upon. Linda was there and went through the antics of putting her shoes back on and how the rings were lost. Three passes with my detector and nothing. As it usually happened the lost object is not in the exact spot it is thought to be. I moved the search area from the initial area to about 8 feet away and my detector gave me the sweet tone in my ears, signaling the location of the ring. I carefully made a very shallow scoop and just missed the rings. I then saw the shine and picked the family of rings up and gave them to Linda.
Cameras started clicking, cheers from inside the tent took over the music that had been playing. What a joy and pleasure to be part of such a vibrant group that were gathered for a very special occasion.
Congratulations to Brigid and Sean and to Linda. And a Thank You to all those in attendance for making the night very special for each other. I have never seen so many smiles at any ring return I have been a part of. I must wish Brigid and Sean, Linda and Stephen and all other couples to have a long and happy marriage as I have for 55 years.
I had to add this to the posting: The next day, September 25th, Sean lost his wedding band on Corporation Beach. It was the same Dennis Beach where he had exchanged the wedding vows the day before. See the next posting for the full story.
