💍 The 452 km Round Trip for Three Rings—and the Twist No One Saw Coming

This morning, I went on a quest that took me 226 kilometers from home—a 452 km round trip—all for three lost rings. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a detectorist, it’s that good things happen to good people, and this story proves it.

The Call for Help

It all started when I replied to a post about three rings lost in Uxbridge, Ontario. The owner, Connie, was distraught. She remembered being at a tanning salon on Friday, October 31st. It was cold and raining, and she vividly recalled rushing to her car, only 20 feet from the door.

She believed the rings, which were safely tucked into a small bottle of Benadryl in her purse, must have fallen out during that brief, hurried dash. By the time she got home, the bottle was gone.

Connie had done everything right: she drove back, searched the parking lot, checked the tanning room, and spoke to the salon owner. The rings were officially missing.

The Detective Work Begins

When I spoke to Connie, I went straight to my standard line: “Almost 90% of the time, lost rings are never where people think they are.”

I asked her about her full movements throughout her day, where she last remembered taking the rings off, and emphasized that I truly didn’t think we would find them at the salon. Despite my low expectations, I told her I would still make the long drive to check the area thoroughly. She deserved that effort.

A Search Team Assembles

Once I arrived in Uxbridge, I met up with my good friend and fellow detectorist, Julie Pike. Julie has a knack for finding gold, and knowing she was close by, I figured an extra set of experienced eyes couldn’t hurt! She was more than happy to join the search.

When we got to the salon, the owner was just setting up for the day. To our surprise and great fortune, she allowed us inside. We methodically searched all the garbage bins from the past few days—the staff assured us no one had emptied them since Friday—but there was no bottle, no rings.

The outdoor search was extensive. We covered the entire property, the parking lot, and even ventured across the road to a grassy area and another parking lot. Friday had been windy, and I had a hunch the small bottle might have been carried far outside the immediate area.

After hours of methodical searching, we were out of options. I had no choice but to call Connie with the bad news: we were unsuccessful.

The Twist Ending

I was disappointed, but then, two hours later, my phone rang. It was Connie, and her voice was filled with disbelief and joy.

She had been chatting with a family member, explaining what I do and relaying the very specific questions I had asked about her movements. My detailed questions must have been turning over in her mind because suddenly, a different memory clicked.

Connie had gotten distracted at home while going up her stairs and had placed the rings on a nearby window ledge, planning to take them upstairs later.

While still on the phone with her family, Connie ran to the ledge… and there they were. The rings were right where she had left them!

Connie called me back immediately, overjoyed. She thanked me, saying that simply talking through the events and having her memory jogged by my questions had led her to the forgotten spot.

I am just ecstatic her rings were found. It was a long drive, a detailed search, and a disappointing call—but in the end, it was all worth it.

Sometimes, the real reward is simply helping someone find their peace of mind, which in turn helps them unlock the answer that was right in front of them the whole time.

Good things truly do happen to good people.

Do you have a lost item that’s been driving you crazy? Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all it takes!