Growing up in the New York City metro area, one thing I will say, we had connections. The majority of my extended family lived in New York and New Jersey. Family get togethers were important. Besides that, our summers in the Catskills with my cousins made us extremely close.
So of course engagements, weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs and the arrival of babies were always celebrated. This continues today as well into the next generations. But when I was a teen and young adult growing up, everyone lived within a short distance of each other.
When we needed new shoes, we did not go to just any shoe store. No, we drove from North Bergen or West New York, New Jersey, to Yonkers, New York, to get our shoes. Why? There were lots of shoe stores near by. But my Uncle Jack was the manager of a shoe store in Yonkers. So, of course, that is where we went for our new school shoes each year. If ever we had a shoe problem, or issue, we knew to stand up and see where our toes ended in relationship to the edge of the shoe. I have written about my Dad’s fixation on healthy feet. And wearing good shoes was part of this. (See blog below.)
My Uncle Jack had other connections. One of his best friends, also named Jack, was a jeweler. I asked my cousin if he was related to them. But No, Uncle Jack and Jack A. met at the Sephardic synagogue they went to in NYC. Uncle Jack lived in Israel as a child and teen. ( I wrote about his mother, my grandma Rose, and her experiences during the siege of Jerusalem in 1948, see the blog below.)
So why a shoe store and a jeweler and family gatherings all in one story? Because in 1979 I got engaged to a nice Midwest boy who wanted to buy me a diamond engagement ring. I was shocked. He wanted to go to a store and buy it retail? Who heard of such a thing? Not when my family was involved.
To be honest, I do not remember exactly what happened. All I know is that we were in town for my brother’s wedding. It was nine months after we got engaged, but I still did not have my engagement ring. We were waiting until we went to see my family. Finally, a meeting was set up. My husband, then fiancé, thought we were going to go to a wholesale jewelry store in Manhattan. But that is not what happened. He was a bit shocked.
My parents drove my husband and I to the shoe store in Yonkers. My then 24-year-old fiancé asked, “We are getting your ring in a shoe store?” I just nodded my head yes. My father said something like, “Don’t worry, it’s fine.”
When we got to the store, my Uncle was waiting for us, and led us to the back of the store. Mom stayed in front to shop! Next thing I know is that Dad, my fiancé and I are in the shoe storage racks in the back of the store. Jay was a bit shy about entering the back stacks, but as we were all going, he went along. It was here that we met with Jack, the jeweler!
When we were situated where no one was coming, way in the back, Jack, the jeweler, opens the shoe box he was carrying. Inside were five or six diamond rings, all about one karat, all different shape diamonds. I tried several on and finally decided on the ring I wanted. A check was written. We were given an appraisal, but Jack was firm about us getting an appraisal from another jeweler as well. If there was any problem, we were to let him know.
We left the stacks. I was now wearing my engagement ring. Jack the jeweler stayed behind. My Uncle went in to say goodbye to his friend, who left through the back entrance. Quite the covert mission. You did not want anyone to know you were carrying a shoe box filled with diamonds!
I wore my engagement ring for years. But about five years ago, I had a ring I inherited from my grandmother that I used to make a new ring. I put my engagement ring away with the idea that one day my son would use it. That time is now. He and his girlfriend got engaged.
https://zicharonot.com/2020/01/20/beautiful-feet-a-shoe-store-and-my-dads-sage-advice/
https://zicharonot.com/2014/07/24/movie-night-in-the-catskills-was-a-wonderful-magical-night/
zicharonot 
Mazel tov on your son’s engagement!
Wonderful story. I can only imagine Jay’s reaction to the whole experience.
He was surprised! I remember when he told his parents!
What a sweet story!
Thank you!
What a wonderful story. Congratulations ~ I think it is so lovely passing the engagement ring to your son and future daughter in law
Thank you. It seemed like the way it should be. We have had a great marriage. I hope it continues with them.