Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 19, 1993 TAG: 9310190014
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KAREN BARNES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BOONES MILL LENGTH: Medium
That $800 ring helped him win Pam Virant's heart. They were married in 1986, promising to cherish each other through sickness and health, for richer or poorer.
They've experienced their share of all that - except the richer part. And now, because of financial pressures, they're selling the engagement ring.
Pam placed a classified ad in the Roanoke Times & World-News about three weeks ago. "THIS RING WORKS!" the headline stated. "Married 7 years, hopelessly in love, but poor. Selling our 1/3 carat diamond ring. Appraised at $895, asking $750. Call (703) 483-5012."
The combination of student loans, mortgage and car payments, medical bills and the cost of raising two small girls forced the couple to re-evaluate their assets.
"We were thinking, `What do we have?' and looking around the house for what we could do without," Pam said. "I had the idea [of selling the ring] a little bit, but . . . ."
Tom initially rejected the idea. "My knee-jerk reaction was, `No way,' " he said as 9 1/2-month-old Rachel played nearby. "I'm surprising myself by going along with this. Our views have simplified, and we are happy with very little."
But they aren't looking for pity. They knew their decision for Pam to quit her full-time job and stay home with the children felt right but would require sacrifice. Tom works in the public relations office of Ferrum College.
"We've really struggled a lot with going back to work," Tom said. "I really have to check my ego and say, `Hey - this is what I've chosen to do.' "
Although Tom's salary covers the bills, there's nothing left over. The station wagon has 154,000 miles on it, medical bills resulting from Rachel's birth remain unpaid, the family can't afford the extra gas to travel to Cleveland to visit relatives.
"Everything is such a big deal," Pam said. "We have to think if we can do this."
They stretch every dollar as far as they can. They wear secondhand clothing, borrow what they can and mix powdered milk in with the real stuff.
The money from the sale of the ring will help refinance the house to reduce monthly mortgage payments.
Pam didn't like the idea of selling the ring to a pawn shop. "I want to sell it to someone who will use it," she said. "I wanted to sell it through the classified ads, because it's more romantic."
But no one else seems to think so. The Rickards haven't gotten a single phone call about the diamond.
If they can't sell the ring, they're not sure what other options remain. There's not much to sell, when you have very little.
But neighbors and church members have gone out of their way to help the family. One friend repaired their water pump for free; others pray for them.
But don't think for a minute that their financial straits have dampened their spirits. "I'm gushing with happiness," Pam said as she gently placed her hand on her husband's leg.
"We've treated it as a challenge to see if we could do it," Tom said.
But Tom would eventually like to be in a position to replace the diamond. "I'd like to buy her another one," he said. "I don't know that I'd feel the same way about it, because this ring is special. It's the only piece of jewelry I've ever bought. Maybe I'll track it down and buy it back."
by CNB