by Esther P. Chase

Wedding Charms for Charm Bracelets

Before we knew it, Stevie and Laura's wedding was just around the corner. At the rehearsal dinner, Laura presented her bridesmaids with their charms and charm necklaces. She also gave her maid-of-honor, her sister, a sterling silver charms bracelet with the special wedding charm. She hoped her sister would start her own charms bracelet "tradition." Laura was thrilled with her wedding gift from Stevie-the 14K white gold charms bracelet with the wedding ring charm. She cried when we gave her Stevie's charms bracelet with all the charms signifying milestones in his life. Much conversation ensued about our charm bracelet family tradition. Elizabeth's and my charms bracelet jewelry collection received rave reviews. I noticed Elizabeth's friend, Daniel, was paying close attention.

The wedding and reception was lovely. I remember thinking it must have been overwhelming for Daniel, since he got to meet Elizabeth's extended family in one fell swoop! I must say, he held up well under the pressure.

When Laura and Stevie returned from their honeymoon in Hawaii, Laura proudly showed us the new charms on her charm bracelet. A pineapple charm and the Hawaii state charm were the new additions. They too are now beginning their own charms bracelet jewelry tradition.

As I look at my charms bracelet, the charm we selected from the anniversary charms collection for our 35th wedding anniversary brings many memories. I recall being very proud of what we had accomplished in our 35 years together.

Daniel had given Elizabeth several charms for her 10kt, 14kt gold and sterling silver charm jewelry collection. The charms were from www.chains-and-charms.com animal charms collection. Daniel selected a cow charm for her first operation. When I asked the significance of the donkey charm, her only comment was "private joke." Since Elizabeth was still living at home, we saw quite a lot of Daniel. We were not surprised when Daniel asked Steve for Elizabeth's hand in marriage. I looked at the engagement ring charms to select one to add to Elizabeth's charms bracelet.

Elizabeth and Daniel did not plan to marry for at least a year. Elizabeth moved into Daniel's apartment. I was old fashioned enough to "wince" and modern enough to "shrug" about this arrangement.

Chapter 17 - Charms for Laura's Completion of Law School