When my mother-in-law presented my daughter with a shiny new bicycle on her seventh birthday, the whole family was thrilled. It was a vibrant pink with silver streamers flowing from the handlebars, and it had a tiny basket adorned with little daisies that perfectly matched my daughter’s style. She had been asking for a bicycle… CONTINUE READING »
Then, one afternoon, as Lily was practicing her riding skills, my mother-in-law, Susan, called and asked if she could come over to discuss something important. Her voice sounded tense, which was unusual for her, given her typically cheerful demeanor. I agreed, albeit with a bit of trepidation. When she arrived, Susan sat us down in… CONTINUE READING »
My heart sank, and I was immediately filled with confusion and concern. Lily looked up with wide eyes, clearly not understanding why her cherished gift was suddenly being taken away. “But why, Grandma?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Susan sighed deeply and explained that she had met with a close friend who works… CONTINUE READING »
When you notice a ring on someone’s finger, the first thought is often marriage or commitment. For generations, rings have carried meaning—especially when worn on the ring finger. But a growing trend has given new significance to another finger: the pinky. Wearing a ring on the pinky finger isn’t about romance at all. Instead, it… CONTINUE READING »
One of the founders, Melody Godfred, explained that she wanted a daily reminder to care for herself first. She chose the pinky finger because it was a place she had never worn a ring before, much like how women can sometimes overlook their own needs. For her, the ring became a pledge: a way of… CONTINUE READING »
During the Victorian era, women often wore them to show they were single but not looking for marriage—an act of independence during a time when social expectations were very different. Over the years, the meaning evolved, but the idea of self-assurance remained. Of course, not everyone who wears a pinky ring is making a statement…. CONTINUE READING »
Even the design often reflects that meaning. Fred + Far’s version, for example, features an inverted triangle stone, said to represent the power of the feminine spirit. But beyond any specific design, the beauty lies in the personal intention. Whether it’s a reminder to practice self-care, to honor one’s journey, or to embrace independence, the… CONTINUE READING »
Four years after my husband Jason vanished during a solo hike, I thought I had accepted the loss. The search teams had given up, the courts declared him dead, and I had learned to raise our children alone. Still, little reminders of him lingered—his old mug, his scarf, his boots by the door. Then one… CONTINUE READING »
In his mouth, he carried Jason’s green hiking jacket—the one he wore the day he disappeared. My heart nearly stopped. When I reached for him, Scout bolted toward the woods, pausing only to look back as if asking me to follow. Against every instinct, I ran after him, deeper into the forest than I had… CONTINUE READING »
Finally, Scout stopped near a hidden cabin. My breath caught as I peered through the window. Inside, alive and changed beyond recognition, was Jason. But he wasn’t alone—another woman stood close by his side. When Jason saw me, he spoke of “freedom” and how he had left our old life behind. The words felt like… CONTINUE READING »