by Esther P. Chase

Things are Coming Together

Three huge milestones occurred in my life, and what better way to celebrate than with the acquisition of 14kt gold or sterling silver charms for a charm bracelet. I was maturing and it was time to start an adult charm bracelet. Charms commemorating my teaching certificate, my first apartment, and first teaching position dangle from my silver charm bracelet. Charms, as they always have, marked those important moments in my life that I wished to encapsulate for all time. Since I did not want to make Steve nervous, I avoided the idea of adding a boyfriend charm to my charms bracelet. Life was too exciting and my charm jewelry with sterling silver charms and gold charms for a charm bracelet reflects this memorable and important phase of my life.

The teaching job I secured was as a substitute teacher until a full-time position became available in the local school district. I did not want to relocate now that Steve was in my life. I loved my new apartment, which was a one-bedroom walk-up. Fortunately, my parents were willing to help me with the finances until I could get a full-time teaching job.

Exciting things were happening for my college sorority sister, and best friend, Jane. Jane opted to stay with medicine and was accepted to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Before email, our contacts were limited to long-distance calls and our phone bills were exorbitant. She was too busy for a serious relationship, but was happy for me as I continued to keep her up-to-date on my relationship with Steve. I researched www.chains-and-charms.com and splurged on a charm from the medical professional charms collection as my contribution to her charms bracelet. After all, getting into Johns Hopkins School of Medicine was quite an accomplishment.

Life was good!! I had my first apartment (sparsely furnished), I was teaching (still substituting), and I had almost completed the requirements for my master's degree. And best of all, Steve was with me every step of the way.

Shortly after I received my master's degree in education, I got word that I was being considered for a full-time teaching position. I was one of two successful candidates and could possibly start teaching third grade in the fall semester. I had yet to secure a marriage or my own home, but things were looking up, as I was no longer beholden to my parents for financial assistance. Steve, bless his heart, selected a 14K gold charm for my charms bracelet to celebrate the awarding of my master's degree.

Steve was close to submitting his thesis and being awarded his doctorate degree, which would result in the increase of his faculty salary and ensure tenure. Now that Steve was feeling more secure with his career and his financial future, he started to talk about engagement and marriage. I was listening intently and nodding dramatically, already considering the addition of an engagement charm from the love and marriage charms collection from chains and charms.

Chapter 8 - The Engagement