Shopping for an Alaskan Surprise

For our 30th wedding anniversary, we decided to book an Alaskan cruise, our first cruise in 25 years. We both agreed that the cruise would be our mutual gift.  But on-board, an idea was born.

Without any specific plans for our first day at-sea, we explored the ship, tried the gym, and walked the decks.  Around mid-afternoon, we decided to take in the shopping tips presentation by our cruise director. My wife gave this activity her utmost attention, while I fought off a mid-afternoon sleepy period and the urge to spring to the stern and throw myself into the ship’s wake.

After about the fourth or fifth lap around the gem-buying lecture world, the seed of an idea began to emerge — what if I surprised my wife with an on-shore shopping excursion to upgrade her wedding ring?

When we were engaged more than 30 years prior, we were both college students.  We both had jobs (and I had three — working a paid position on the college newspaper, refereeing intramural football and basketball, and covering high school sports in-person or over the phone with called-in reports).  Translation:  poor.  And the selection of our engagement and wedding rings had to reflect that low financial status, despite the high hopes for marriage and future financial reward.

The selection of our engagement and wedding rings reflected our low financial status, despite high hopes for marriage and future.

And so it was that two days later, with my limited knowledge of jewelry, a port map and an American Express card, we disembarked in Juneau, Alaska. With a helicopter tour to Mendenhall Glacier scheduled for early afternoon, we had a morning free — or so my wife thought.  Like many, we walked the dock-side shops for a few minutes, then ducked into Diamonds International as a light drizzle began to dampen our jackets. Less than two minutes later, we were greeted and offered endless help by an eager young man with a seemingly endless knowledge of all things jewelry and an equal enthusiasm for telling stories of happy couples he had helped. My wife strolled through the store with our new human appendage always close by.  I suggested — and he insisted — that she try on a few rings.  As she warmed up to the store and the idea of staying out of a now-heavier rain, we edged around the counter to the diamond section.

My wife strolled through the store with our new human appendage always close by.

That’s when I made the suggestion — why don’t we upgrade your wedding ring? I’m not sure who was more surprised and excited, my wife or our young diamond-adoptee. For my wife’s part, she protested modestly, thinking I was just joking around.  After all NEVER had I EVER suggested the voluntary idea of shopping for jewelry, much less to buy a new wedding ring. After a few minutes, she realized I was serious. (Men, now think about this:  would you ever take your wife into a jewelry store and merely joke about buying jewelry?  Not if you valued your own jewels and your life!)

Would you take your wife into a jewelry store and merely joke about buying jewelry?  Not if you valued your jewels and your life!

Rings were examined, tried and put away.  Settings were inspected and rejected.  And if I thought I had heard everything about diamonds from our cruise director, I was proven wrong within minutes. Discussions of cut, clarity, color and karats gave way to the most important question of the day:  cash or card? And with a purchase of this size, there was never a question that I wanted the purchase protections that come with an American Express card!  We closed out the details, made an appointment to inspect, pick up and make the final payment on the ring later in the day.  Then we rejoined the throngs on the street while my wife’s bright smile lit the Alaskan landscape.

Readers, you my recognize that I usually offer tips in these posts.  This is no exception.  But ladies, I ask that you skip this section and move to the end of the story.  Guys, keep reading here.

Tips for a Successful Vacation Shopping Surprise

1. Have an idea. If you’ve paid attention during the vacation planning process, there’s likely been many great ideas tossed at you.  Things to do.  Places to go. Great buys authentically available at a favorite destination.  Murano glass in Venice.  Cuckoo clocks or hand-carved Nativity scenes from a German Christmas market. Swiss chocolates. Exquisite folding fans in Japan. Tea in China.  If you know a guy who knows a local guy, pearls from one of the night markets elsewhere in Southeast Asia. (And forget that French Maid outfit idea you had for the Paris visit.)
2. Make a plan.  Do this In advance.  When you have time to think it through and do some research. Not enroute.  Or on a ship, with no internet connection.
3. Act. And by this I mean to both follow-through and playact. Make it mysterious.  Make it fun.  But just do it.
4. Forget second guessing. It’s over.  And you’ve likely scored really big points in the relationship department.  Enjoy the moment and any benefits that may come to you. Forget about the other consequences.  Yes, you may have over-paid a bit. You might have found something better if you looked and compared more. But unless you dropped major cash on a sketchy counterfeit you found after you were blindfolded and hustled through noisy alleys, it’s going to be OK.

The End of the Story

Wonderful trips always make for wonderful memories.  With today’s cameras, we capture many of them digitally, thinking we’ll enjoy them over and over.  Surprises, big and small, make them even more special. So wherever you’re going, whatever you’re planning, try something spontaneous and surprising.  You’ll be glad you did.