One Lafayette man’s quest to find his class ring has come full circle.
Darren Menard was reunited with his Comeaux High School class ring this week, 31 years after he lost it under bizarre circumstances.
Menard says in 1987, his then-girlfriend lost the prized piece of jewelry while tossing a cigarette out of a car. According to Menard, the band flew off her finger, and despite two days of searching, was lost forever.
Until Tuesday.
That’s when a construction worker at Moncus Park saw a red stone jutting out from under the dirt. The man dug up the ring, cleaned it, and inspected it. Menard’s name was engraved in the gold and another construction worker, Colbie Romero, set out to contact him.
Thanks to the internet, Menard was found in no time. Romero sent Menard a message on Facebook, telling him that his long-lost ring had been discovered.
“I forgot about it,” said Menard. “We thought it was some kind of joke, something suspicious, but when I remembered it was lost, I kind of freaked.”
Romero presented Menard with the ring on Wednesday. Menard was so grateful that he gave Romero a reward.
“He didn’t want to accept it,” Menard said. “I’m glad he got in touch with me.”
Twenty-four hours later after being reunited with his class ring, Menard is still on Cloud Nine.
“I cleaned it up and wore it all day yesterday!” a happy Menard exclaimed while showing off his ring.
By the way, the ring still fits.
