So before I even start the story, you guys need to check out this map that shows just how far my little post about “Darling Joe” and his missing ring travelled! Social media at it’s finest![vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]On Monday the 6th of April 2015 I took a trip to Finn’s beach club in Bali with my daughter, my sister and her son Blake, and my Mum and Dad. We arrived in the morning to find that the tide was high, and swimming conditions weren’t great, but were told that after around 2pm, the tide would go right out and snorkeling would be great. So we ate some lunch and dodged the waves until then. They were right, after lunch the waves were gone, and the tide was low creating the ideal snorkeling spot for me to take Blake out for his first ever try. We had only been out for around 15 minutes when we got caught in a bit of a rip, and to stop from being dragged over the rocks, I grabbed hold of one so we could sit still for a while and look at the fish below us. It was then that I looked down and spotted something, it was a ring! Not really thinking too much of it at the time I popped it on my thumb and continued to swim.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”4533″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]It wasn’t until I got back up to the beach and had a good look that I realised that this might actually be something really special. I gave it a quick shine on my clothes and instantly it cleaned up. I was also able to take a good look at the inscription on the back which read “Darling Joe, Happy 70th Birthday 2009, Love Jenny”

I showed Mum, and she asked what I was going to do with it. I clearly remember saying to her that I was going to try and find the owner, to which she replied something along the lines of “of course you are!” (I spoke to Mum and asked if she remembered saying this, and she does!)

So that night, after getting back to the hotel and tucking Winnie into bed, I decided to take some photos of the ring and post on my personal Instagram and Facebook page.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Knowing that only my friends and family would see it, I also decided to post it on my business page Kids in Adelaide, knowing how interactive and responsive our likers are (well done you lot!)

So on Monday 7 April 2015 at around 11pm local Bali time. I posted this image[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4598″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.facebook.com/kidsinadelaide/photos/a.600075336753643.1073741829.565354810225696/820464264714748″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The next morning I woke up and checked my Facebook to find that within minutes of posting the image, people had started to share……..and share…….and share![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Lisa Wilkinson from The Today Show shared it….

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]The Metro in the UK shared it[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4599″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][vc_column_text]Finns Beach Club shared it….[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4600″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]The Bali Bible shared it….

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

But best of all YOU GUYS shared it!

I was flooded with messages from ALL OVER the world from people wanting to help, sharing ideas, suggesting places to try, sending information and best of all sending THOUSANDS of good luck messages. I couldn’t believe it!

After arriving back in Australia on Thursday I set up the Find Joe and Jenny Facebook page to try and keep all the messages in one. I was shocked to receive this message just a few hours after setting it up (just THREE NIGHTS after the very first post)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”4596″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]I asked Jade to have Joe call me the next morning, which he did, and I knew instantly that it was his. He described it perfectly and told me the story of how he lost it swimming in the exact spot that I found it. We had a great chat, and laughed when I found out that Joe lives just 3 hours drive from my doorstep! After all of the messages from all over the world, my mind had me traveling to all sorts of far off countries to deliver the ring. New York, London, Italy……but no, turns out just a quick trip up the road would be enough.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4708″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Jenny emailed me photos of Joe wearing the ring on the morning he lost it, and then again that afternoon sans ring. I didn’t need to see photo proof though, I knew straight away it was his.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4594″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]After posting the FOUND update on the Find Joe and Jenny Facebook page I received thousands of comments from people following the story and links from all over the world from newspapers, magazines, radio stations and TV.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Channel 9 Australia

Mashable

Singapore

Serbia

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]CNN USA

Good Morning America USA

The Mirror UK

Belgium

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]The Metro UK

Latvia

China

Germany[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]So with that I drove up to Noosa on Saturday ready to meet Joe and Jenny at breakfast Sunday morning (as well as a cameraman from The Today Show who wanted to meet us afterwards)

One minor hiccup of FORGETTING MY SUITCASE! was quickly forgotten about when we checked into The Seahaven Resort who gave me two nights accommodation! Yahoo!

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4704″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_blank” img_size=”full” link=”https://www.seahavennoosa.com.au”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

FINALLY MEETING JOE AND JENNY AND RETURNING THE RING – WHAT A GREAT MORNING!

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4705″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”4706″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]I found out Jenny had spent a long time searching antique stores for this special gift for Joe for his 7oth birthday. They’re also unsure of the exact meaning of the shield (so that is still a mystery) Joe told me that it hadn’t left his finger from the day he received it, until the day it came off at Finn’s. They were both really upset to have lost it, and didn’t think there was ANY chance of ever getting it back.

They’ve been married for over 50 years and are a LOVELY lovely couple, I couldn’t have been happier to be able to do this for them.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/VG1NwOhLhEw”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

P.S

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]If you live in SE QLD Joe has offered a special deal at any of his 4 Bridgestone Tyre outlets in Noosa, Caboolture, Ipswich and Toowoomba.

As a gesture of thanks to all the supporters of “find Joe and Jenny” anyone in those areas can call in and quote the special code “Roxy and the Ring” and you will receive a gift voucher to the value of $549.00 – Joe[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

THANK YOU

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Seahaven Resort Noosa – for giving me two nights in your gorgeous hotel. I will definitely be back!

The Today Show, especially Lisa – for sharing the original post, and giving me my live TV debut! And especially for having me chauffeur driven back to the Gold Coast – that was a highlight!

Kids in Adelaide – for getting this crazy ball rolling. If you guys hadn’t shared it like you did, I would never have found them[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

You might also be interested in

  • Joe Wells Reserve Netley

    Find it at: Comet Ave, Netley Designed and inspired by the kids at Netley Kindergarten, this new little nature playground is nestled in the quiet suburb of Netley and adds a new dimension to the modern day playground. A fabulous area for kids to get in touch with nature by playing with the sand, climbing wooden bridges, or getting lost in the cave. This space is literally back to basics. These are just a few of the obstacles the children face when they play at the new nature playground. The playground also features a bird nest swing ,sandpits along with some grassed area to run around on. Totally back to nature I love this play area as it is different and allows kids to use there imagination. With lots of places to hide and explore, lots of sand (to fill the car with) this playground is worth the visit if you are in the area. As it is very much a local playground there are NO toilets and whilst there are trees shading parts of the grassed area there is NO shade covering the play area. Whilst this is not ideal a shade sail would take away the rustic feel…

  • After School Snacking
    after school snacking

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Top Tips to Keep After School Snacking Under Control! Check out these great tips from our resident dietician, Tanya. Tanya is an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Sports Dietitian, Qualified Personal Trainer and Co-Director of Life Personal Trainers, a boutique personal training company with studios in Hutt Street, Unley Road and Kent Town. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tanya is also a mum of 3 delightful little girls and married to Kristin who is also a personal trainer and the Managing Director of Life Personal Trainers! She has over 10 years experience in private and paediatric clinical settings, which is why we love getting tips from her about ways to keep our youngsters fit, healthy, happy and loving their food. Make sure you let us know if you have any questions you would like answered about your own diet or that of your children. Tanya is the person in the know and will be able to help steer us in the right direction. Since school has started again, my children seem to constantly graze afterschool. From the time they come home, they keep asking for snacks but then sometimes don’t really want dinner. I am not sure how to determine if it’s real hunger and how…

  • Kapunda Lions Park