Job Perks

Many of you may not know that Jeff received an award for Telepresence Salesman of the Year, 2008, for Cisco. He had an awesome year and sold more Telepresence than any other salesman ever has. We were both surprised to find out that not only did he get the award, but also a PRIZE - a Rolex...a $5000 Rolex. Now this may shock you...but the story gets better. Read on!!

When the "prize man" contacted Jeff about choosing a watch, my wonderful, fabulous, self-less, terrific, best-husband-ever-in-the-world told him that he didn't really need an expensive watch and could we choose something different...like, oh, maybe a new wedding ring for his wife (me!)? This was all his idea...there was no begging, pleading, or selling my soul involved. I swear.

Now, this is the part where this story gets really good, but we have to back up 17 years to the winter of 1992. Jeff and I had only been married 8 months or so, and I was taking a "Teaching P.E" class in the afternoons at an elementary school in Provo. I had just finished my shift cashiering at the CougarEat (another story, for another time) and I stopped by the bathroom in the Wilkinson Center to change for my class. I had just gotten into my sweats when I looked at my left hand and my wedding ring was gone. I [panicked and remembered that I had taken it off to wash my hands, something I did much too often, and I couldn't find it. I looked in my pockets, in my bag, on the floor, under chairs, in every sink, but it was no where to be found. I eventually had to stop looking and get to my class because a bunch of 2nd graders were waiting for me to teach them how to play volleyball. I was a mess! I couldn't conscentrate and all I wanted to do was find Jeff and tell him what happened. I felt absolutely heart-broken.

A few hours and buckets of tears later, I tracked him down in one of his Italian classes. He was taking a test when I popped my red-eyed face in the room and he excused himself. I remember standing in the hallway and just bawling. He tried to help me feel better and reminded me that it was just a ring. It was such a relief to know that he understood.

We never did find the ring, but had a friend that worked at a jewelers at the University Mall who got us a great deal on a little yellow gold band - I couldn't walk around campus forever looking available!! It served it's purpose, but every time I looked at it I wished the other ring was there. The one that Jeff worked so hard to pay for.

It wasn't until we had Alec that we decided it was time for a new ring. I chose an eternity band in white gold, which turned out to be a mistake. I couldn't wear it. It irritated my finger and caused so much itching and swelling that I went back to wearing the little yellow band.

Who knew that Jeff's hard work would pay off again for another ring? - Only about 16 years later...my time of pentinence to pay for losing the other one. The "prize man" said that we could pick whatever we wanted, a ring or a watch, and here were some websites to look at. Just let him know when we've decided.

So here it is...a vintage ring by Scott Kay and I LOVE IT! To get around my nickel allergy, we chose a palladium ring which is essentially a new metal that a lot of jewelers are using now because it is hypoallergenic and less expensive than platinum. The center diamond is a radiant cut and, let's just say, really sparkly!

So, thanks to Jeff, I once again will be wearing a diamond on my left hand, and I have SWORN on my precious children's lives that it will remain in a safe spot...on my hand.

Thanks, Dee, I love you.