While it’s probably true that we often attach too much meaning to the physical “stuff” in our lives, there are some treasures that are truly special. Like wedding rings.
If you’ve ever misplaced your wedding ring, you know that terrible feeling in the pit of your stomach you have until it’s back on your finger. And if you haven’t, well Philadelphia couple Erin and Steve can tell you all about it.
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While walking down the street one Friday evening, Steve’s wedding ring slipped off his finger. They both instantly panicked. It was his grandfather’s ring that was passed down to him, and it was engraved with his grandparents’ initials and wedding date.
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Much to their dismay, the ring fell right into a sidewalk grate. They could see it, but they had no way of getting to it. They called city officials and were informed that was nothing they could do until Monday morning when City Hall reopened for the work week.
Never ones to give up, the two of them went to Home Depot to create a makeshift fishing pole of sorts in an effort to get the ring out.
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They spent the next few hours face-first in the grate. Oh, and to make matters worse, they hooked a ring they thought was theirs only to realize it was the wrong one. By this point, a crowd was beginning to form.
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“During this entire time, strangers came up in an attempt to help us. Tourists from Chicago. Cab drivers. Homeless people. A bachelor party. Some even laid on their bellies to help us look,” she explained. A Philadelphia cop eventually stumbled upon the scene and decided to help the rescue effort.
He made a call to PECO, the energy company contracted to handle all of the city’s electrical needs. As it turns out, PECO workers are excellent ring wranglers as well! Soon after the officer called PECO, a worker showed up ready to get his hands dirty in the grate. Erin called the man, named Brian, her “knight in shining armor.”
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Brian used a flashlight to search through the muck, and then…
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In Erin’s words, “Yesterday could have been an incredibly sad and disappointing day, but instead it became a shining example of generosity, perseverance, and what it means to live in the City of Brotherly Love.”
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If you ask any locals, they’ll tell you that Philadelphia feels more like a neighborhood than a major metropolitan hub, and stories like Erin’s just further prove it.
If this heartwarming rescue had you ready to cheer, be sure to share to spread a smile!
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