Birthing Necklaces, The Run Home, and Broken

Anyone that knows me well knows that I almost always wear a small silver necklace.  I hardly ever go without one of my necklaces unless I'm putting another one on. I usually have one on when I shower, sleep and and race. Always. It is just part of my style. I have four favorites that I switch out and they all hold a great deal of meaning. The first three (pictured above) are what I call my birthing necklaces.  My husband started the tradition of giving me a necklace when we found out I was pregnant and I wore each necklace during my entire pregnancy, the birth of each child, and most of the following year after.  These necklaces represent so much more to me than just a piece of jewelry.  They are symbols of love, the miracle and joy of life and pregnancy, and the gift of motherhood.  These necklaces are even special to my children.  The each know what necklace is "theirs" and they notice when I switch them out.  I know that someday I will probably pass these necklaces on to them.  Perhaps when they have their first child.  

Right around the time I started this blog, my husband gave me another special necklace to celebrate my 32nd birthday.  This one is by far the necklace I wear the most often.  And it is the one that my kids probably love the most because it represents all three of them at once.  I love it. So dear to me...as dear as material possessions can be.  

Well, today the chain on this necklace broke.  And really, it is my own fault. I'll explain in a minute.  

You see, I was so excited to get a package in the mail from The Run Home, my new favorite place to order running jewelry for my friends (and hopefully myself sometime soon).

I ordered a special necklace for my sister-in-law because she is running her very first half marathon this Sunday. I bought her something that I would love to receive myself knowing that she usually likes my taste in things.  

When this package arrived, I did what most jewelry loving people might do.  I tried the necklace on just to make sure it worked okay...ha!  But when I did that, I didn't want to take it off.  And it was even harder putting it back in the package and boxing it up.  It is the perfect length (16"), the perfect weight, and the perfect size.  I hope she thinks it is perfect too.  Honey, if you're reading, this would be the PERFECT gift for me!  So bummed my birthday isn't until November. 

LOVE LOVE LOVE this!  I'd order one just like it for myself but instead of the 13.1 charm, I'd get the one that just says "Run".  Maybe I'll just have to send a few hints to my husband.  Instead of a "birthing" necklace, he could get me one in celebration of finally agreeing that I'm done "birthing".  

So back to my necklace breaking....  

When I went to try the necklace on, I took my other one off.  My favorite necklace.  I set it on the counter and immediately my almost three-year-old son wanted to try it on.  Rather than battling it out and explaining to him why I didn't want him to wear it, I just put it on him and figured he'd wear it for a bit and then give it back.  But before I could even get my sister-in-law's necklace back in the box, my necklace was broken.  My son had tried to tell me he wanted it off and I was too lost in my own thoughts that it took me a minute to answer him.  Rather than wait for me, he tried pulling it off and the chain broke.  

I'm embarrassed to say that I actually cried a little over this broken chain.  I know, just a silly necklace.  

So sad.  :( Must get another chain.  

I felt awful with the way I reacted.  My little guy didn't mean it.  In fact, he pulled on it because I WASN'T LISTENING to him.  I was too busy lost in some stupid NOT IMPORTANT thought that I didn't respond to him right away.  So when I was so sad (almost mad) about it breaking, his little eyes filled with tears and he was devastated.  It didn't take more than 30 seconds for me to snap out of it and realize that my necklace didn't matter at all.  What mattered was how my son felt.  And that he knew above and beyond anything that I LOVE him more than ANY material item.  I hope I reassured him.  When he gets up from his nap, I'll make sure to tell him again.  

Truth is, I am sad about my necklace.  But the good news is that it was just the chain and I still have it so all I have to do is replace the chain.  Or buy a necklace from The Run Home (this one) and just share the chain with my E, N, and S charms. Maybe it will be my treat to myself after my next marathon.  

In the meantime, I'm excited to give my sister her necklace and see her finish her first 13.1 at the Portland Rock n' Roll Half.  

Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry that you wear all the time?  Does it hold sentimental meaning?   

Amanda