A financially struggling mum has been touched by the kindness of a stranger after the engagement ring she was selling was bought by a kind stranger and then promptly returned to her.
New Zealand-based Angelique Bankhart had fallen on hard times and made the hard decision to part with the ring.
Along with a photo showing the three-stone ring, the post was captioned: ‘My beautiful engagement ring is up for grabs, trying to make ends meet.’
The ad was seen by wedding celebrant Chloe Boerema who bought it – and then promptly gave it back to her.
New Zealand-based Angelique Bankhart had listed her engagement ring (pictured) online because she was having difficulty making ends meet
Wedding celebrant Chloe Boerema (pictured) bought the ring – and then promptly gave it back
Speaking to FEMAIL, Ms Boerema said Ms Bankhart’s post ‘broke her heart’ and that she got in touch with her straight away in an attempt to help.
‘I posted a comment with an offer almost immediately and I told her I was happy to purchase it but as long as she kept it!’
Ms Boerema said as a person who works with couples on a daily basis, she understood just how much sentimental value jewellery like this had.
‘When I saw the ad, my heart sunk as I know an engagement ring isn’t just a piece of jewellery.
‘I know how many beautiful memories and emotions are associated with it.’
Ms Boerema (pictured centre) said as a person who works with couples on a daily basis, she understood just how much sentimental value jewellery like this had
Ms Bankhart told the New Zealand Herald her decision to sell was incredibly fraught and that she struggled to check her messages as she didn’t want to see the ring go.
‘I hadn’t even looked – I didn’t want to see if anyone wanted it,’ she said.
‘I could really tell she didn’t want to part with her gorgeous ring,’ the wedding celebrant said
According to the publication, Ms Bankhart had pawned several other items earlier to cover her rent payments and recover from a number of children’s birthdays in a single month.
Ms Boerema said after her message was seen by Ms Bankhart she withdrew her listing.
‘I was so touched with how thankful she was; I could really tell she didn’t want to part with her gorgeous ring,’ the wedding celebrant told FEMAIL.
Ms Bankhart said the decision to sell her ring was enough to make her lose heart – but Ms Boerema’s kind actions had restored her faith in people.
The two have become close since the encounter and in a few months, Ms Boerema may step in and act as Ms Bankhart’s wedding celebrant.