Inside were two wedding bands.
One was delicate gold with a narrow silver stripe.
The other was wider, with the same design and a tiny hinge.
He lifted the smaller ring.
“This one’s yours.”
He placed it in my palm.
“Read the inscription.”
I tilted it toward the afternoon light.
Inside, in tiny engraved letters, were the words:
EVEN IF I FORGET — I CHOSE YOU.
I covered my mouth.
Mark gently slipped the ring onto my finger beside my original wedding band.
Then he lifted the wider ring.
“Mine says something a little different.”
He turned it so I could see.
EVEN IF I FORGET — SHE CHOSE ME.
His voice trembled.
“If I ever look down at this ring and can’t remember why I’m wearing it,
maybe those words will remind me that someone loved me enough to stay.”
He held the ring toward me.
“Will you put it on, Lee?”
I opened the tiny hinge.
Carefully placed the ring around his crooked knuckle.
Then closed it.
A soft click.
The ring rested exactly where the pale stripe had been.
I looked up.
“Does it hurt?”
Mark studied his hand.
Then smiled through his tears.
“No.”
He held it toward the light.
“For the first time in twelve years, it doesn’t hurt at all.”
—
I hadn’t written any vows.
I’d had no idea what I would say.
But when Pastor Jim looked toward me, the words came.
“When you forget,” I whispered, “I’ll remember for both of us.”
Mark’s eyes filled.
“If you forget my name, I’ll tell you.”
I squeezed his hands.
“If you forget where we live, I’ll remind you.”
My voice shook.
“And
if you ever wonder why you’re wearing that ring, I’ll tell you our story.”
He began crying.
“I’ll tell you about the hardware store and your terrible drawing.”
A few people laughed softly.
“I’ll tell you about our first pizza date. The lake. The dock. Room 12.”
I smiled through my tears.
“I’ll tell you how you asked me to marry you after only eight days.”
I took a breath.
“You chose me once, Mark.”
I held his hands more tightly.
“And I’m choosing you again. Right here. Knowing everything we may face.”
His face crumpled.
“I’m frightened,” I admitted. “Of course I am.”
I looked into his eyes.
