How My Aversion to Being Ashy Got Me in Expensive Trouble
Lemme tell you a story about how my aversion to being ashy got me in some expensive trouble. I know I’m the Professional Troublemaker but this ain’t the type of smoke I wanted.
On Friday, I did a last minute meetup with my awesome agent, Andrea Nelson Meigs. She doesn’t come to Chicago often so I had to see her! I get in an Uber and get to the restaurant before she does, because Chicago traffic in rush hour can be the hunger games. But it’s no problem because it’s a gorgeous day out so I’m just enjoying being outside. When she gets there, we hug and go sit at a highboy table. It was a bit after 6:30pm. She was having dinner with another client at 7pm so, this was gonna be a quick catch up.
I put my bag on the table and I look at my left hand and it’s empty. I instantly yell “FUCK!!!” My wedding band and engagement ring were not where they should have been: on my ring finger. OMG I LOST MY DIAMOND RINGS! I LEFT THEM IN MY UBER! Andrea’s like “What happened!?!” Cuz I don’t usually cuss in front of her, because I try to keep my potty mouth away from her classy self (she very much gives Claire Huxtable vibes)
So what had happened was… when I got in the Uber, I looked at my hands and they were lowkey ashy. Well, ashy, by my standards. You already know being moisturized is a deep core value of mine. So I took off my rings (cuz I just got them cleaned and polished), put them in my lap and put on hand cream. Buttttt I forgot to put them back when I finished. So when I got out the car, well… I left without them rings.
I even said this in my TED Talk
I grab my phone and run out the restaurant and walk into the empty street, looking on the ground in case the rings fell there. NOPE! Nothing.
I’m walking around in circles saying “OMG OMG OMG” and freaking all the way out as I go in the Uber app, hit the last trip and click option of “Lost item.” Mind you, it’s been 20 minutes since I got out that uber, at this point. I AM SHOOKETH. How many people have been in that car since I got out?!? Is someone somewhere celebrating this come up? LAWDT!
Uber app gives me the option to call the driver and after 3 rings, he picks up. Me, talking fast: “HI. YOU JUST DROPPED ME OFF 20 MINUTES AGO AT SHAW’S. I LEFT MY WEDDING RINGS IN YOUR CAR!”
“Hi. Yes I remember you.”
“Can you please please please look for my rings? Are they there?”
“I’m about to drop off a passenger. I can look right then.”
“Ok I’ll hold.”
I AM LOSING IT. Pacing in front of the restaurant while the valets look at me concerned. I am very much like this internally:
Because HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN THAT CAR SINCE I LEFT IT, FATHA GAWD?!?
Driver: Ok I’m about to check for your rings.
Me: THANK YOU!
At the same time, I’m thinking “who do I call first? Is it Priti, my friend and jeweler who made these rings? It definitely can’t be Mr. Jones cuz NAWL! These ain’t just regular rings I can go get replaced. He got these designed and custom made. These are 1 of 1. I’m FRANTIC. Pure panic mode!
Driver: I don’t see them on the seat.
Me: Please check inside the seats. On the floor. They must have fallen!
Driver: *spends 1 minute rustling* WAIT! I found ONE!
Me: OMG YES. There are TWO. Please look more!
*after the longest 30 seconds on my life*
Driver: I found the other one!
Me: YES YES YES! Can you please bring it here right now?
Driver: I’m on the northside already. I’m like 25 minutes away.
Me: It doesn’t matter. PLEASE bring them straight here. I will make it worth your while.
So we exchange numbers and he tells me he’s headed that way. It’s like 6:45 at this point.
I go back in restaurant, armpits sweating. Heart beating. And I tell Andrea (and our waitress, who is now invested in this saga) that he found the rings and should be there in 20-30 minutes.
Andrea is like “wowww.” And we’re chatting and she’s looking at the clock with me as time goes on. I’m still not taking deep breaths because until those rings are in my hand, I’m not feeling peaceful.
At 7pm, her client walks in and goes to sit and Andrea tells him she needs 5 more minutes. She was shook for me and wanted to see if these rings will show up. At 7:05, I tell her to go to dinner and I’ll text her when the rings get there. She hugs me and tells me to make sure I let her know when I get em back.
At 7:10, I get a text from Mr. Jones. “I’m outside. Down the block.” YIKES!!!! Oh yeah, forgot to tell y’all that he was coming to pick me up so we could go to dinner. I reply back with “Give me 10 minutes.” I was stalling like shit. And I surely wasn’t gon tell him a doggone thing til I got these rings back!
So I call the Uber driver, and he says “I’m 5 minutes away. Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”
At 7:20 he calls me and says he’s outside. I get up with the rapidity of Sonic the Hedgehog and RUN outside. He rolls down the window and hands me my 2 rings.
I wanted to kneel down and lay prostrate on the streets of downtown Chicago. The praise in my SPIRIT?!? Just lemme SHOUT.
I put them rings on SO FAST!!! And I said THANK YOU THANK THANK YOU THANK YOU.
Check it, doe. 2 days before, Mr. Jones had just handed me a bunch of cash because I’m notorious for not carrying any. And he always tells me to have some on hand (because you never know when you’ll need em). So he had gone to ATM and gave me cash. Well, standing on that street, I reached in my bag, pulled out my wallet, took out my whole wad of cash and handed it to the driver. I didn’t count how much but TAKE IT ALL, SIR. I don’t even care!
Me: THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Driver: *looks at the money* *shakes his head* OH NO that is too much. I can’t take this.
Me: No. It’s just enough. You have blessed me so much today. You have shown me generosity and I am so grateful. God bless you.
Driver: I’m a son of Ethiopia. My mother taught me to never take what’s not mine. I had to bring this back to you. I told you not to worry.
Me: And I’m from Nigeria. I was taught to show gratitude. Thank you!
Driver: *looks down at the cash on his front seat* Wow. God bless you. Please give me 5 stars.
Me: FIVE STARS?!? Sir, I’d give you 10 if they had it. Thank you so much!
My heart is soaring for so many reasons. I run back in the restaurant, and go to Andrea’s table. “I GOT MY RINGS BACK!”
Andrea: YES YES YES!
The person she’s having dinner with? Courtney B. Vance.
Andrea: Courtney, btw, this is Luvvie Ajayi Jones, one of my amazing clients. She’s a 3-time New York Times bestselling author and speaker. And ummm she just lost her wedding rings and got it back.
Courtney: *fist bumps* Nice to meet you. And WHAT?!? Oh I need to know what happened.
I recount the whole story and his mouth is agape.
Courtney: You’ve gotta sit down and have dinner with us.
Me: I can’t. My husband is actually here to pick me up. We’re gonna go to dinner. And I know you and Andrea gotta talk!
Courtney: No, he needs to join us too! Cuz look at God! You lost those rings, so you could sit RIGHT HERE.
Soooo I call Mr. Jones, told him Courtney B. Vance is inviting him to dinner (because WHAT IS LIFE?!?). And he comes in. We have an amazing 2 hour dinner with my legendary agent, an iconic actor who is married to another iconic actor. And right before we leave, I tell my husband that 2 hours before, I had lost the very valuable rings he got me. You know, the ones we took a whole oath with. He looked around the table, looked down at my hand, and said “Sooo I guess I don’t need to say much.”
And that is how lotion almost cost me A LOT.
The moral of the story is more than 1:
- Just be ashy.
- Make sure you moisturize before leaving the house.
- Let the rings be dirty. Don’t take them off in public.
- There are good, decent people in the world.
- God is good ALLATAHM.
- God’s grace is abundant.
- Always carry cash.
- Gratitude is a must.
- Make sure your valuables are insured.
- Look behind you when getting out of any Uber.
- BONUS: Courtney B. Vance is an awesome human being.
Thank you.
P.S. I’m still rubbing my left hand at random times. My spirit is STILL shooketh, even though I got them back. WHEW!
P.P.S. Here’s a pic one of the valet folks took after this dinner. He really sabotaged us with that blue light.
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92 Comments
First? (Hahahahaha- great story!)
LMAOOO!!! YESSS to the “old school” way of blog commenting!
Loved this. What a story!
Luvvie,
First, Praise God!!!!
Second, why was my heart racing just reading the story.
I’m so happy you got your rings back.
Wow!!! My heart was beating fast the whole time reading! Glad it all worked out and you got to meet THE Courtney B Vance🙌🏾🙌🏾
It reminded me of the Martin episode when Martin lost his ring 🤣
Almost lost my wedding ring–and I was widowed six years ago, so I need that ring so hard.
Found it at home, where I had put it when I (wait for it) took it off to use hand lotion.
🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂
This is a great and hilarious story!!!!!
Great story! Lovely energy and joy at the end. I couldn’t have asked for a better tale in a moment alone for the day. Also glad you put valuable insurance on that list of takeaways. Thanks! 💐
I am thankful there are good humans in the world 🌎, and yes lesson learn just be ashy.
What a story! Love! Loss! Intrigue! Excitement! And famous people! Damn ❤️❤️❤️
Driver: I’m a son of Ethiopia. My mother taught me to never take what’s not mine. I had to bring this back to you. I told you not to worry.
Me: And I’m from Nigeria. I was taught to show gratitude. Thank you!
Love this!
I almost hated to click the link and continue the story. So glad it was a happy ending.
The way I was invested in this story!!!
Same lol! I was over here with baited breath like Lawd today is she going to get these rings?! Please don’t let this end in shambles lol! Good ending!
I’m so happy you got your rings back. There are great people out there. I think this ring saga was also destiny to dine with Courtney B. Vance. I hope to see a project between the two of you.
Absolutely needed this blog!! Because life…whew!
What an amazing story! I’m sooo glad you got them back because my heart was over here pounding for you! Your Uber driver was a real one and yay for the hubs looking out with the scrilla! That was an epic night! What a blessing! Also these memes are giving me the chuckles!
I was as invested in the outcome of your story as I was the last HONY story…my heart! And, I ain’t married! 😂
Fantastic story.
The heart palpitations while reading this were no joke!!!
Girl! I wouldn’t even have been able to eat dinner afterward. Leaving my rings in the shower on wash day is enough to send my heart racing 🤣.
I was holding my breath and reading!!
I think my blood pressure went up a little 😰 Amazing story and so happy that you were blessed with an amazing Uber driver!
I am SHOOKETH!!!!! Shooketh I say!!! Im sitting on the side of my bed, rockin’ and prayin’ while readin’ this saga. I dun got up and did a dance of joy, then looked where my rings should be to make sure they are there. Chile……..GAWDT herself was with you tuhnight!! Amen and amen!
Woo!! You had me going with this one! Glad it all worked out well 🙂
My rings came off in the dryer when I was getting laundry out once and the way I was going crazy looking for them? Been extra cautious since.
The intensity, anxiety, and animation in which I just read this story!
Isn’t it absolutely amazing the way God weaves the pieces of our lives together so perfectly? Clearly divine intervention, can’t wait to see where it all goes! So glad you got your rings back! 😊
My husband has lost his engraved rings twice. He needs some of your anointing.
Awesome, harrowing story ❤️
My ❤️ Is still racing at this story! Hoo, chile! God is good!
Oh my goodness! I went straight to the end – made sure you got the rings back, and then finished reading your story. WOW! I was breathing hard like those rings came off my finger. File this under: something I won’t do again, for $200 Alex.
I mean…I was captivated! The title caught my attention because I just watched the episode of Blackish where Dre was dramatic about his youngest son Devonte’ going to school with ashy knees!
So glad you got your rings back and you had dinner with an icon!!
LOL! Just be ashy! Great story!
Look at God! Won’t He do it?! Thank goodness for honest people still existing in this world. So glad your Uber drive was able to find your rings and return them back to you.
Ain’t God good! The way my heart was beating reading this, you would have thought my ring was lost. I’m glad you were able to get them back.
Terrific story!!
Girl! This story had me in the edge of my seat the whole time! I was panicking with you and when you got them back and the guy was just so gracious and kind, tears filled my eyes. Wow! We need more of your gift of writing! More old school blogs please.
Ok got my heart pounding! Thank God you got them back! I missed your writing!
Man lissen… if I’m not at home these rings DO NOT come off. I had a similar scare. Now I don’t take them off. If I’m traveling I sleep in them. Unless he’s with me and I give them to him and let him be responsible. Yea I’ve scratched my face in my sleep. Casualty of war though.
This would make a great witty short film focusing on important lessons to be learned.
SISTA GURL!!! The anxiety filled ride you just took me on was TOO much for early morning! Why did I visualize the ENTIRE episode? Now I want to know what did y’all for dinner?
He’s an on time God!!!
And now my heart is “BEEPING” sooooo fast!! Whew!!! What a great story!
Keep ya rings on ya fingas.
You made us feel the frantic panic of this moment! Took us right inside the stressful saga of it all! I am so glad you got your rings back. Whew!!
I was having heart palpitations for you. Also, the blue light matches your blouse so maybe not so bad hahaha
So very glad you had a fantastic Uber driver! I did something similar decades ago with my engagement ring. The women’s bathroom was on a floor below my office, I took off my NEW engagement ring to wash my hands and accidentally LEFT them on the shelf beneath the mirror. Got back to my desk and realized my grave error 5 minutes later. 😳 I flew down the stairs like I had wings and luckily the rings were there waiting for me. I NEVER took them off for NOTHING after that!
Love this and I like the blue light…and needed a reminder that rainbows sometimes hold magic, you just have to stay open even when everything is telling you not to (serendipity analldat).
I started reading this story during the 5 minutes I was supposed to sit still before taking my morning blood pressure reading. I had to retake my blood pressure three times and do some deep breaths to get it back to normal 🤦🏻♀️😂🤣
Also, our son is named after Courtney B. Vance so this is an even cooler story!!
One more lesson: Everything works out for our good.
“Courtney: You lost those rings, so you could sit RIGHT HERE.”
I felt this
Oh such a great story with an even better ending. I wish I had the same with the 3 rings I’ve lost. My wife basically says I can’t have nice things.
Wow – that is an amazing amount of serendipity! Glad you got an excellent Uber driver, and glad you got your rings back. However, I don’t understand people who take their rings off in public. I would be too afraid of losing mine…
This is exactly how I lost my rings in the middle of downtown and we were with my in-laws at the time! 😭😩 We found them in the street all scratched and jacked up! Just be ashy is good advice fr!
I miss these stories. Awesome storytelling.
Yes for the just be ashy comment. Don’t let folks ash shame you Sis, lol Glad it all worked out!
Lost mine for 2 weeks!! Holy Spirit showed them to me in a dream! I woke up and went where I saw them in my dream and they were there!! TGBTG forever and ever!!
I’m so glad you got them back! Whew!!! I take rings off when I fly, but I always put them in the zipper pocket of my wallet. And check them 5673 times.
Whew Chile ! I’m so glad you got those rings back . I love how your agent reps all kinds of black excellence . Oh and dope picture ! Everybody fine and no one is ashy ! 🤣🤣
Orinthia Blue light coming through in that valet photo. You clearly had help from beyond. LOL
Thanks for the cautionary tale. *stops to put lotion on before heading out.*
Girl! What a story! Praise God that you got your rings back!!
Chile this had me reading this like I watch P Valley….popcorn, clutching pearls and sitting on the edge of my seat!!! Great read and amazing ending to your evening.
What a great story! So glad you posted on your blog b/f social media.
Wow 😳
You’re writing is so engaging, I absolutely love the way you have given us a visual of part of your life with this 🙌🏾 And I’m so happy that the driver was kind and honest to give back your beautiful rings 🙌🏾😊
I love everything about this story. I was frantic at the beginning because your rings hold so much value. I’m grateful for good human beings, and you and Mr. Jones ending the night with good people. Mr. Vance seems like the uncle who loves to swap stories.
I was stressed reading the entire recap! So glad it all worked out! And you got to have dinner with your husband and spend more time with your agent/friend while also meeting Courtney B. Vance!
Such an Amazing story!
I think I developed an ulcer reading this, and I’m feeling dizzy. My goodness, Luvvie!
Gosh! You retold the story so well. I could literary picture and relate with the story because I have had a similar experience. I had just bought this statement ring as the Covid lockdown eased off. Very beautiful ring. It came with a matching bracelet.
I was on my way to work when I boarded a bus and chose to sanitize my hands as I alighted. As per new ring naw, I didn’t want chemical to touch it, so I removed it and “kept it in my pocket.” After my sanitizer and hand cream ritual were finished while strutting on this long street, I deepened my hands into my pocket. Alas! My ring was AWAL o. I felt like crying. That was also the first time I had worn it. I felt PAIN!
Omg I so glad you found your rings!!! I’ve lost mine during a cleaning spree! I just know it floating around in some dumpster.
And also can I just say I love it here right now! It feels so safe!! Post another blog at your earliest convenience🤣! I miss this so much 😭😭😭😭😭😭.
I teared up when I got to the end of the exchange with the driver. There is so much good in the world! So happy to see it!
I went through so many emotions! Whew…I’m so happy for you.
Held my breathe and sent up prayers for a great ending.
I finally see Andrea!! Woohoo! You were my organization’s keynote speaker in Orlando in 2019. Andrea is the best.
On occasion it’s okay to be ashy. ❤️
My husband has lost his wedding band twice! Once while wiping soy Sauce off his hands at Nobu and I dont Even remember the second time 🤣
It’s ok to be a little ashy or a little soy sauce
I’m so happy this had a happy ending! Phew!
So glad this episode had a happy ending! That’s the kinda stuff that can’t be made-up!
p.s. my engagement solitaire serial number is my birth date. I would be >insert superlative here< if it ever went missing. There's no other one like it in the world, and insurance can't fix that. I totally get this level.of panic.
When God says “He got you” he were not kidding, nor playing! And his mercy indeed, endureth forever!!! Blessings!
My gawd that was riveting!
I was fully invested in that story.
Eat your heart out Cinderella, this is a good ‘happy ever after’ story if I everheard one. 😊
Delighted you got your rings back.
I could picture how shaken you must have been before that Uber driver got to you. Like jelly. Plus, all that adrenaline overload throughout dinner. Yikes!
In the words of the Bard of Avon, “all’s well that ends well”.
Stay ashy 😇
I am soooooooo glad you got your rings back and another passenger did not take them. Your driver was a great person.
It’s also great to know Courtney Vance is as great as I always thought he was as a person. Angela has a true gentleman.
Keeping sharing your stories as only you can ☺️💗
Gurl!!! Whew rushing to finish the story and look at God! And had dinner with Courtney B. Vance! 🙌🏽🙌🏽👊🏽
is there a word for having a sympathy heart attack for somebody else?????????
I lost my college school ring on the A train and a few year later because I didn’t learn my lesson left my law school ring somewhere in Italy behind my commitment to being moisturized🤦🏾♀️🙋🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🙋🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
Wow! I don’t even know where to begin. Well here goes: 1. Awesome story..funny and so authentically you. 2.Thank God you got those rings back. 3. I now realize I was holding my breath and tightening my all my sphincters the whole time I was reading this story. 4. You reaffirmed my faith in people.
Thanks for sharing
Love ya Luvvie
Wow!!! I would have been shooketh also. My husband had my rings made also. You’re a wonderful story teller. I felt every emotion you had. Glad you got them back. I’m exhausted 😂
OMG! This had me shooketh! Great story and ending. Love it! I will add that the good you do will always come back to you.
This post took me out of my COVID coma! I didn’t breathe until the last word. Fabulous story/lesson learned. I’m famous for doing the same thing in Ubers. I will heed your advice!
Your story telling is immaculate! I’m so glad you got your rings back! There are still good people in the world.
All I can say is my heart was racing for you! Hell I I think I was trying to read as fast as you ran to meet Mr Uber driver just to see what happened and praying that you got your rings back! Wow… look at Gawd! Everything happened for a reason! Can you imagine the Convo dinner talk… wait wait… pillow talk Mr Vance had with Mrs BassetVance ?!!! Lawd I’d be giddy! Great read good story!!!
What?! You can’t tell us this heart-stopping story without showing us those rings?!
LOOK AT GOD!!! God got our back ALLLLLL the time! He gave you a problem (damn near heart attack) with the ring saga, returned the rings and you ended the night on a high with dinner with some amazing people. The energy, vibe you put out into the world is one you will also receive. Sending you love and light always!
I’ve done the same thing. My husband is a dentist and he cast the gold himself to make my ring. I was putting on lotion in my car before a meeting at work and when I got up my ring fell off in a parking lot. I lost my mind looking for it. Then, I found my ring twinkling in a pile of dirt a week later, slightly smashed from being run over by cars, but we took it to a jeweler who was able to fix it.