What does it feel like to lose a wedding ring and then have it found again? Ask Brian Warzecha.
In the summer of 2011, Warzecha was out swimming and playing with his kids at Lakeridge Beach in Waterstone when he realized his wedding ring was not on his finger. Unsure if it was lost at the beach or at home, he decided to check home first.
‘On occasion I do leave it here (at home) because I take it off when I shower,? he said. ‘I wasn’t sure (where it was), but then I came home and it wasn’t here.?
After going back to the beach and looking with goggles and digging up the lake sand beneath the water, Warzecha thought all was lost. ‘I was pretty upset,? he said. ‘It bothered me, but there was nothing I could do about it.?
His wife Shannon, was also upset.
‘I said ‘how can you lose your wedding ring??
She said Brian accused her of taking it and hiding it, which she admitted she has done in the past. ‘I have taken it and hid it (from) him on a few occasions because he leaves it lying wherever,? she said.
After thinking the ring could never be found, Brian said they went out and bought a cheap titanium replacement ring, until he could find one he really wanted to replace his original. However, all was not lost.
Just a few weeks ago, on Sept. 11, Michael Slezak swam out to the deep end to see if he could see a turtle that had bobbed his head above water just a few minutes earlier. On his return swim, he said he saw something.
‘I saw a shiny little half of it buried in the sand almost near the drop off but not quite, it was maybe seven or eight feet away,? he said. ‘I was kind of shocked I found a ring in the lake.?
After giving the ring over to his dad and realizing how important the ring could be to somebody they prayed that the owner would be found. Michael’s mother Jackie was not with them when they found the ring, but after hearing of it, she said they decided to get the word out through Facebook and posted the missing ring on the Hometown Village Facebook page.
‘Within an hour of posting it on Facebook, not only was the owner identified but it was back in their hands,? said Jackie. ‘It was pretty remarkable that they were just down the street from us because that beach is used by not only this community but others.?
‘I just remember when I saw the post, I thought what are the chances (it’s Brian’s ring?)? added Shannon. ‘And it was.?
Jackie also said it was also a confirmation to the power of prayer.
‘When you pray and see an answer to (your) prayer right away like that, that’s exciting,? she said. ‘It’s just a reminder that if God has his eye on a tiny little ring, how much more is He watching over his people??
Brian said he received a call at work, but didn’t answer because he was busy.
‘Then she called a second time and usually that means something is wrong, so I answered it and she was like ‘Guess what??? and I was like ‘what?? It didn’t sound like I was in trouble or the kids were injured. Then she was like ‘Michael found your ring,? he said. ‘I couldn’t believe it.?
Brian said he is so happy to have his ring back. ‘I feel normal again,? he said. ‘I have the ring back, not just a ring, but the original wedding ring.?