This coin

Fitty sense!

I have carried this coin for about 18 years or so. I got it as change from the hotel I stayed at the first night I landed back in California after moving back from Minnesota. I put it in my wallet and have had it in my possession ever since. I can still recall the face of the desk clerk who gave it to me.

When I put this 50¢ piece in my wallet, I thought to myself “I will keep this in my wallet for as long as I stay in California and I will only spend it if I ever have to leave.”

The reason

This coin represented a commitment to the girl I came back to California to be with. I was in my mid 20s and I was young, foolish, and completely in love. I was going to hold onto this coin and her for as long as I could. Except for a few rare days, this coin has been on my person each day.

The 50¢ coin

It's been to Vegas where we got married. It was with us when we moved in to our first apartment, condo, and home. It was there in the room when each of my daughters were born (and conceived). It was there on our first Christmas together and every year since.

This fifty cent coin has heard every word I have spoken in the last 18 years, every devotion of love, every spark of hate and all the other elation and pain in-between. It's been through a lot when I think about it. Sometimes I consider giving it to someone less fortunate when they ask me for change... But they would never really know how much it's worth.

Thanks for reading!