When my son proposed to his fiancée, I was thrilled to welcome her into our family. That was until she demanded my emerald ring as her engagement ring. What I did next was something my future DIL didn’t see coming.
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Hi, everyone. I’m Martha, a 48-year-old mom with a passion for jewelry-making. I’ve always treasured my son Brandon’s happiness, but his fiancée, Alice, recently tested my patience in ways I never expected.
Let me take you back to where it all began.
A woman standing in her house | Source: Midjourney
I’m a proud mother of two amazing kids, Brandon (22) and Elisa (19). Raising them has been the joy of my life.
Brandon has always been the kind of person who sets his sights high and works hard to achieve his goals. He’s just finished his degree in mechanical engineering and already landed a great job. Elisa, on the other hand, is a free spirit with a passion for art, currently studying at an arts academy.
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Both of them make me proud every single day.
A young woman standing with her brother | Source: Midjourney
Brandon met Alice in college two years ago. He came home one evening and told me and my husband, “Mom, Dad, I met someone. Her name’s Alice, and she’s incredible.”
When he brought Alice to meet us for the first time, I liked her immediately. She was confident, intelligent, and had a warm personality that fit right in with our family. She even laughed at my husband’s awful dad jokes, which I thought was a promising sign.
Over the next couple of years, I saw how happy she made Brandon, and when he announced their engagement, I was genuinely thrilled. She was everything I’d hoped for in a partner for my son.
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Until she asked me for something unexpected.
A young woman | Source: Midjourney
Before I move on to that part of my story, let me share a bit about my passion. Jewelry.
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been fascinated by the sparkle of gemstones and the intricate designs of rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Growing up, I didn’t have much, so buying jewelry wasn’t an option. But that didn’t stop me from dreaming about creating my own.
By the time I was in my twenties, I began experimenting with making simple pieces. It wasn’t easy at first. I’d sketch designs on scrap paper and save every penny to buy materials.
A woman writing in her notebook | Source: Pexels
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My friends and family noticed my determination and often pitched in to help. For my birthday one year, my sister gave me a beautiful set of tools, saying, “You’re too talented not to do this.”
Over time, my skills improved.
By my thirties, I had a small collection of handmade pieces that I was proud of. Rings became my specialty, each one crafted with care and love.
Every piece had a story, and my friends would often gush over them.
A woman putting a ring on her finger | Source: Pexels
“Wow, Martha, this ring is stunning!” one friend exclaimed at a dinner party. “You should open a shop!”
Another chimed in, “If you ever stop making jewelry, I’ll riot. These are too gorgeous not to share.”
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Their encouragement meant the world to me.
Making jewelry wasn’t just a hobby for me. It was a way of expressing myself. With time, my collection grew, and each piece became a cherished part of my life.
A close-up shot of jewelry in a box | Source: Pexels
So, when Brandon and Alice got engaged, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
To celebrate their engagement, I invited them to dinner at our house. I planned a lovely evening with good food, laughter, and a ring designed specifically for Alice.
It wasn’t just any ring. It was a labor of love.
I had spent weeks crafting it, carefully selecting the stones and sketching a design I felt matched her personality.
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A sapphire ring | Source: Pexels
Everything seemed perfect that evening. Brandon and Alice were super happy when they arrived.
As I opened the door, I greeted them warmly.
“Alice! You look stunning as always,” I said.
“Thank you, Martha,” she smiled, holding up a bottle of wine. “I brought this for dinner. I hope it pairs well with whatever you’re making.”
“Mom’s cooking is always amazing,” Brandon chimed in. “She could pair anything with water, and it would still taste great.”
We all laughed as we settled into the living room.
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A woman standing in her living room at night | Source: Midjourney
After dinner, I cleared my throat and stood up, holding a small velvet box.
“Alice,” I began, “I wanted to give you something special to celebrate your engagement to Brandon. This ring is my gift to you. I designed it with you in mind, and I hope you’ll love it as much as I loved making it.”
Her eyes lit up as I handed her the box. She opened it, revealing a delicate ring with a sparkling sapphire surrounded by small diamonds, set in white gold. It was elegant and timeless, and I thought she’d love it.
A ring in a box | Source: Pexels
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For a moment, she just stared at it.
Then she tilted her head.
“Oh… it’s nice,” she said hesitantly. She paused, then glanced at the emerald ring I was wearing. It was something I’d made years ago, and I cherished it deeply.
“Well, it’s all good,” she added, her tone turning more assertive, “but I want you to give me that one!” She pointed directly at my emerald ring.
A young woman sitting at a dinner table | Source: Midjourney
I was stunned.
“Excuse me?” I managed, trying to keep my voice steady.
“That one,” she repeated. “It’s gorgeous, and it’s the perfect engagement ring. It should be an heirloom, don’t you think?”