Andrew and Julia

Meeting Andrew is like meeting a young Paul McCartney.   He's charming and handsome in exactly that way.  Andrew and his wife Julia are neighbours, but it wasn't until a few weeks ago that we realized we were linked by more than geography.  Andrew arrived at my door one morning with his arm outstretched.  For one bizarre moment, I was reminded of Ivaan asking me to dance.   When I came to my senses, I looked at his hand and realized he had two beautiful rings by Ivaan on his fingers.  He'd suddenly made the connection between me and Ivaan.  In 1997, when he and his wife were courting, she had bought him a ring by Ivaan.  Later, when they married, they came back for another.

I borrowed Andrew's rings to photograph them, and I buffed them up a bit.  Both bear Ivaan's distinctive signature on the outside (because, as Ivaan always said, "Did Picasso sign on the back?) .  What is especially touching is that both rings are engraved on the inside in Ivaan's writing.  One is inscribed "Always", and the other bears the year, 1997, and a French term of endearment between lovers, "ma biche".    I love the fact that both rings look as though they have been on his hand every day, with the small dents and scars that are proof they've been worn and loved for years.

I'm so glad Andrew came and showed them to me.  It felt as lovely as dancing with Paul McCartney....or Ivaan.

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