Dusted Off The Old Fraternity Ring...

I'm in a show with an actor who wears a big ring. If I remember correctly, it's his father's class ring and it's beautiful. I bought a class ring when I graduated from high school, but I lost it and never had it replaced. His ring reminded me of one ring I didn't loose--my college fraternity ring.

It's beautiful, too.

The fraternity no longer exists, which is a shame. I had a lot of good memories in that fraternity and met many I still consider friends to this day. Now, I have a few pictures, fading memories, a fraternity pin (that I seldom wear because I don't wear suits that often...), and my ring.

I decided to dust if off and I wore it to church and then to the shows we did today.

When I bought that ring, I had no idea the future. I had no idea where my life would take me or what experiences I'd get to enjoy. I thought it would be cool to have something that linked me to the organization, to the guys, to the Big Dog parties and the mini golf tournaments, to "Scamouflage," and to all the other events--big and small--that bonded us as friends and brothers.

As the years separate me from the events of decades past, so much has changed. I no longer dress the way I did in college. I can't fit into the same clothes, and the ring no longer fits on my right-hand ring finger. Since my fingers have gotten fatter, it barely fits on my pinkie. But if I were to take that ring, but it in a safe or strongbox, it'll keep for centuries. I hope my memories do, too.

Maybe I Should Start Wearing My Fraternity Ring Again...

I ran into a fraternity brother this morning and we had a good time catching up. He lives only a few miles away, but we hardly see each other. This is mostly my fault. Every year he invites my wife and I to his annual Halloween party (I've blogged about it: HERE), and each year something comes up...something always comes up.

This isn't to say we don't want to go. This year we tried. We really tried. I owe my fraternity brother more.

Back in college we commissioned O.C. Tanner to build us a fraternity ring, and back then, I had some disposable income so I sprang for one. I used to wear it all the time. Tonight I dusted it off and tried it on. My fingers, following the example of the rest of my body, have grown wider over the past two decades. It fits, but it's a little snug.

We've all changed since college. One of my brothers posted a photo in Facebook of us at a dance. I remember all their faces, but the names have faded. It's too bad, too, because they are such good men and we had some fantastic times as members of the Delta Chi Chapter of the Sigma Gamma Chi Fraternity.

We've each taken a journey from that night. Most married and have families, though some have not. We got and lost jobs, cars, homes, pets. We pledged loyalty to each other and I'm proud to say when I met up with my brother today we greeted each other in the bonds of friendship. Maybe I should start wearing my ring again. Just as long as it doesn't turn my finger purple...