A true-love story for Christmas; or, how two idiots found each other and fell in love

[Barkingatstrangers]

So my husband and I have been struggling to come up with any gift ideas for each other and with Christmas a week off we were both getting pretty anxious the last couple of days. Complicating matters: we are feeling a bit apprehensive about the shift in the economy coming up as a new US administration and its trade policies come in. Both thought maybe this is not the time to buy new baubles.
This morning, he suggested jewelry and I hemmed and hawed although he knows I love it.... and suddenly across my feed comes a really pretty pair of Art Deco yellow gold and ruby earrings. And they could have been a sister piece to an inherited bracelet I have, square gold links, with a tiny ruby/sapphire/diamond.
I dip out of the bidding really early... still a good price, but not what we budgeted for. I tell him we're not buying them. He fusses, says go higher to X amount, they're worth more (he also loves Deco, he's in a meeting and can't bid.)I tell him nah, I'll find something else.
Then OF COURSE I can't resist sneaking back to see what they're at. Huh, I think. Not as high as I thought they'd be by now. So I bump up my bid just by a touch. Someone else bumps theirs with 2 minutes to go. I bump it to a touch over in the final 30 seconds.... and lose by literally a few pounds.
Guess who texts me this not 30 seconds later....

 

[Bron357]

Stunning and congratulations.
I know well that eBay feeling.
A few years ago I fell hard for an alexandrite and diamond bracelet. Very unique.
It was a 9 day auction and the longest 9 days of my life.
I normally only bid once, my top price, and leave it at that but over the days I bid 4 or more times. At the very end I thought I’ll never see another bracelet so I took a deep breath with 20 seconds remaining and bid again.
Those last few seconds, then the seconds while the app cycles, thought my heart would break or explode.
$5 under my max bid, but she was mine.

 

[Barkingatstrangers]

That bracelet is splendid. You have such an eye for one of a kind pieces. That green is absolutely to die for!
We've lucked into some pretty pieces on eBay but I think these earrings will be special to me: the ones my husband wanted for me so bad he wound up inadvertently bidding against me.
We may not have covered ourselves in financial glory today (or communications skills) but love we definitely have.

 

[Bianca201]

I can't stop laughing at this. Those earring are wonderful, and the story is brilliant, and I would feel loved every time I looked at them. <3

 

[Barkingatstrangers]

I can't stop laughing at this. Those earring are wonderful, and the story is brilliant, and I would feel loved every time I looked at them. <3

Thanks for the kind words on the story!! Antique jewelry always has a story to tell. It feels kind of romantic we have our own silly little love story to add to these.

 

[nala]

Hahahahaha. Would love to see how much more your “gift of the magi” ended up costing you…lol

 

[Barkingatstrangers]

I am afraid to ask!
Also if anyone has any O. Henry-worthy gifts for my amazing husband feel free to chime in.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

So my husband and I have been struggling to come up with any gift ideas for each other and with Christmas a week off we were both getting pretty anxious the last couple of days. Complicating matters: we are feeling a bit apprehensive about the shift in the economy coming up as a new US administration and its trade policies come in. Both thought maybe this is not the time to buy new baubles.
This morning, he suggested jewelry and I hemmed and hawed although he knows I love it.... and suddenly across my feed comes a really pretty pair of Art Deco yellow gold and ruby earrings. And they could have been a sister piece to an inherited bracelet I have, square gold links, with a tiny ruby/sapphire/diamond.
I dip out of the bidding really early... still a good price, but not what we budgeted for. I tell him we're not buying them. He fusses, says go higher to X amount, they're worth more (he also loves Deco, he's in a meeting and can't bid.)I tell him nah, I'll find something else.
Then OF COURSE I can't resist sneaking back to see what they're at. Huh, I think. Not as high as I thought they'd be by now. So I bump up my bid just by a touch. Someone else bumps theirs with 2 minutes to go. I bump it to a touch over in the final 30 seconds.... and lose by literally a few pounds.
Guess who texts me this not 30 seconds later....

well done
they look beautiful
that hubbie is a keeper

i dont know how you all stand the stress of the internet auction !
i have a terrible track record of over paying and the things turning out to be not what they say they are and really small -all before i found PS of course

im still smarting over an 18k art deco ring that turned out to be aquamarine coloured glass with Peridot coloured glass accents


this time last year (wait for it )
i was bidding on a vintage plastic and brass cameo brooch that was going for NZ$8
i really loved the subject matter, it was the late Queen and Prince Philip
but no way did i want to pay any more ....because it was hello ! Plastic and i need to get it mounted in silver and get an enhancer finding to make it nicer and more wearable
but i really wanted it with all my heart (i just do not trust myself with some really bad buys i have made in the past with higher priced auctions) so i have my trainer wheels back on

so im not sure what you paid but im thinking a hang of a lot more than $8
dont know how you stood the stress !

very much looking forward to ear shots and also a wrist shot


i was a total nervouse wreck for the week but did get t it for $8

 

[Barkingatstrangers]

Oh I get it! I'm with you. I haven't the faintest idea what I'm doing with auctions, either. Which is why i'm here!
Pretty clear I've done a bit better with the selection of a husband than earrings.

 

[missy]

Aww I love this
It’s like gift of the magi
Kinda sorta ok not exactly but every bit as romantic

ETA LOL just reading replies now. I guess great minds think alike

 

[Barkingatstrangers]

Aww I love this
It’s like gift of the magi
Kinda sorta ok not exactly but every bit as romantic

ETA LOL just reading replies now. I guess great minds think alike

Haha - the gift of the magi is about the same level of communication skills for us, I guess.

 

[Bron357]

That bracelet is splendid. You have such an eye for one of a kind pieces. That green is absolutely to die for!
We've lucked into some pretty pieces on eBay but I think these earrings will be special to me: the ones my husband wanted for me so bad he wound up inadvertently bidding against me.
We may not have covered ourselves in financial glory today (or communications skills) but love we definitely have.

My parents did the same once.
At a live auction one time Dad had given a thumbs down to the item Mum was keen on. Mum was determined to have it so sneaked off to the back of the room behind a pillar. Someone right up front, only the top of the head visible, was bidding against Mum. Then it dawned on me ….. “stop mum, stop, that’s Dad you’re bidding against”. So she stopped. Then a month later on her birthday Mum had to act all surprised when she received Dads gift to her. Dad thought he was pretty clever and we didn’t deflate that balloon.

 

[CMN]

That bracelet is splendid. You have such an eye for one of a kind pieces. That green is absolutely to die for!
We've lucked into some pretty pieces on eBay but I think these earrings will be special to me: the ones my husband wanted for me so bad he wound up inadvertently bidding against me.
We may not have covered ourselves in financial glory today (or communications skills) but love we definitely have.

Those extra dollars paid are worth it for the story you will keep on telling!

 

[Ally T]

This has me chuckling! Sooo funny!!

Love the earrings & congratulations! Looking forward to seeing ear shots when they arrive!