It began on a breezy November day in Garden State Plaza mall. Alexa (18) worked at an infamous modeling agency. Edison (22) had just returned from being away in the Navy. Alexa noticed his cool black and white leather jacket- with a skeleton torso design. Her heart began racing as she approached him asking his age & he brushed her off, turned around laughing & filled out the card-one she still keeps along with the jacket.

Eddie came home with a bruised-swollen finger from football on base.  At medical Alexa anxiously asked if the wedding ring could be saved. The doctor joked “Would you rather I cut the finger or the ring” She laughed & said “The finger of course.” Months later, in Miami, they unexpectedly found a ring vendor on the boardwalk.  Eddie suggested getting a cheap one & asked Alexa to pick & she told him to choose. That ring has stayed on his finger for the last 14 years-he’s never taken it off.

It started off as a playful question when Alexa asked “what would we do with $20,000?” With Eddie’s pause she playfully suggested that he gets 10k and she gets 10k and with a grin, Eddie replied confidently, “No, 20 for you.” But after all these memories stirring in their minds & hearts, maybe they can finally upgrade that $10 ring and get Eddie one he deserves.