“My attachment to my wedding ring is a powerful symbol of the infinite love that I have for my wife and children.” – Gad Saad, scientist
For one Michigan man, his 42 years of marriage not only brought joy to his life, but helped show the man and his wife that there is still kindness in this world.
Joseph Novetske and his wife, Mary Ann, turned to the power of social media when Joseph’s handcrafted and irreplaceable wedding ring went missing.
After doing yard work, Joseph said that as he walked back to his house he realized his ring was missing.
“I came up toward the house and I realized my ring wasn’t on my finger, and I didn’t know when I lost it or where I lost it,” he said.
After scouring the yard for the ring, the couple went to Facebook in the hopes that someone could help them.
A group of strangers showed up to help Joseph, front center, find his lost wedding ring. Photo by WLNS 6
With fingers crossed that someone with a metal detector could help, Mary Ann wrote, “It really means a lot to us if we can find (the ring).”
Please be in prayer that we find this ring.”
The couple said that while dozens of people offered help, it was six strangers that showed up on their doorstep a few days later that made all the difference.
The group spent hours scouring the yard with a metal detector. “It was like, ‘Wow, they are going to come and help us; we don’t know who they are,’” Mary Ann said.
And all of the hard work paid off. “I came in the house, and I hear this lady screaming, ‘We found the ring!’” Mary Ann said. “And it was so cool. She was bawling harder than I was. I was in shock.”
“It just rekindled hope, you know — knowing that people will do good things,” Mary Ann said.
The ring had been spotted by an eagle-eyed searcher in a pile of leaves that Joseph had been working with.
Mary Ann joked with reporters that “the ring has been resized, so we don’t lose it again.”
The pair now continue to travel the country with the ring on Joseph’s finger, and make memories with their family, they told the outlet.
Mary Ann and Joseph Novetske discuss finding Joseph’s wedding ring. Photo by WLNS 6
Mary Ann praised the strangers’ work on Facebook, saying it was an example of “God at work.”
Joe lost his wedding ring yesterday of 42 years doing leaves. Today complete strangers showed up & neighbors to look for it,” she wrote.
“This is evidence of God at work. The ring was found in a trillion leaves back near the fence row. Thank you Joel, Paula, Kathy, Jim & Lisa for being God’s servants!”
The couple, who actually did get the ring resized, said that they plan to spend the rest of their years together traveling and spending time with their family.
The secret to their marriage, the couple said, wasn’t the wedding ring itself. But what it symbolized – two people who have spent time learning how to care and love for each other.
“He doesn’t necessarily look to give me advice — he just looks to give me encouragement and comfort,” Mary Anne described of their relationship. “And he’s my best friend I have, so that is something I cherish.”
Watch below to see the power of strangers help to find Joseph’s ring.
