A 39-year-old woman from Virginia is giving away her engagement ring and wedding band to one deserving couple.
Christine Bonavita just had her divorce finalized and she did not know what to do with the expensive rings she no longer needs.
She then took to Facebook and announced that she wants to “start the year off right” by offering the pricey items as a gift to a deserving couple who “faced adversities” in 2020.
The mother-of-two wrote on Facebook: “In the spirit of hope and starting this year off right.
“It would truly give me no greater happiness than to bestow both my former engagement ring and my wedding ring to a deserving couple that has faced adversities in 2020 and can articulate to me how you have or you will overcome anything together.”
She continued: “I am gratefully celebrating being officially divorced for one year this month and after careful consideration throughout all of 2020, I have concluded that it would bring me the most joy to see others smile in receiving these wedding gifts.”
Christine concluded her Facebook post with a quote from Chris McCandless, a hiker whose story was the inspiration for the book and film Into the Wild: “Happiness is only real when shared.”
The sparkling engagement ring has three diamonds and was purchased for $2,799.99 in 2010. The wedding band has a smaller diamond and was bought for $759.
In an interview with The Virginia-Pilot, the mother said that friends had suggested she save the rings for her daughters or pawn them but she believes her idea was even better.
“I spent a whole year thinking about what I wanted to do,” she expressed.
“They’re beautiful rings, and I know with the year we’ve all had … it would make me happy and give me more peace to give it to someone who otherwise might not have a ring at all.”
Since she shared her announcement on Facebook, her ex-husband also added his own wedding band to the gift.
The giveaway is open to couples over age 18 and must send a message to Christine with their full names, photo, and at least 250 words on “how you have or will overcome 2020’s obstacles with hope, love, faith, laughter and/or bada**ery and marry the one you love.”
The mother said submissions will be accepted until February 1, 2021, and the winner will be notified on February 14.
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Replaced!