When I was a little girl, I would sneak into my parent’s room and play with my mother’s jewelry. With a ring on each of my fingers, and necklaces draped around my neck, I’d stand in front of her mirror in a pair of her heels.
I’d pretend I was all grown up, married to a handsome prince and with a family of my own. In many ways, my childhood daydreams came true. While my husband may not be royalty, he still treats me like a queen and we have three (sometimes) adorable children.
All those years ago, standing in front of my mother’s mirror, I never would have guessed that one of the rings I played dress up with would play a part in my wedding.
My great grandmother was the first owner of our family ring. Her name was Marie-Antoinette (no relation to the one who lost her head), and she was given it in 1908. This ring was a gift from my great grandfather to celebrate the birth of their third child, an old fashioned push present. That child was my grandfather.
The ring, a large sapphire, surrounded by diamonds was passed to my grandmother, Marie-Louise, after my great grandmother’s death in 1964. My grandmother held it for my mother until 1977, and one day my older sister will inherit it.
Our wedding tradition was born in 2000 when my older sister Kimberley was married. The tradition of the family ring piggybacks off of another wedding tradition. Ever heard of something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue? Well, three out of four ain’t bad.
Since then, my Belgian cousins Benedicte, Charline, and I have each worn the ring in our own weddings. It’s my mother’s wish that our children and their offspring will all have the opportunity to one day have her ring be a part of their weddings.
It made me think, what’s stopping anyone from starting a cool family tradition of their own? Sure, this ring has been in my family for over a hundred years, but our wedding tradition with it is only sixteen years old.
So, if you’re interested in vintage jewelry I found a cool place to check out. Start your family tradition today!