A Canadian guy spent hours searching through a compost heap with his bare hands to find his wife’s lost wedding and anniversary rings. The emotional journey turned out into a touching love story that showed how hard work and determination can overcome even the most formidable challenges.
How the Rings Went Missing?
The story began with a simple trip to the movies. After coming home, Jeannine Van Ysseldyk collected spilt popcorn from their garden. Without knowing it, her wedding band and diamond ring slipped into the popcorn bag. Later, the couple tossed the bag into their compost bin.
When Jeannine realised her rings were gone, panic followed. They searched the house but found nothing. Home security footage later showed exactly when the rings had vanished.
ALSO READ: Canada Backs Ukraine’s Call for NATO-Style Security Guarantees Amid Trump-Led Peace Push
Smelly Search at the Dump
On Friday, Steve Van Ysseldyk decided to look for the rings at Mission Landfill in British Columbia. He admitted Jeannine had lost hope, but he said, “The wife’s gotta have her rings, right?”
The compost site owner, Denny Webster, was doubtful at first. Still, he helped Steve by operating an excavator, carefully pulling out piles of rotting compost. Steve then dug through the waste with a shovel and later with his bare hands.
A Dump Miracle
After 40 minutes of digging, Steve spotted the popcorn bag. Inside, he found the first ring. At that very moment, Jeannine was out shopping for a metal detector, nearly convinced her rings were gone forever.
Moments later, Steve found the second ring under another pile of composted popcorn. He described the discovery as “a dump miracle.”
ALSO READ: Would You Work for Free? Inside the Air Canada Strike
Tears of Joy and Proof of Love
When Steve called with the news, Jeannine broke down in tears. She later said his effort to dig through a “rotten, stinky compost pile” proved how much he loved her. Steve offered a reward to Webster, but the landfill operator refused. Instead, Webster asked only for a social media mention of the Mission Landfill’s role in the recovery.
He added that in all his years at the site, nobody had asked to dig for lost valuables. According to him, the chances of success were “close to none.”
Lost Rings, Found Love
This unusual recovery highlights how love and persistence can turn a hopeless situation into a miracle. Similar stories have appeared elsewhere. In Nova Scotia, workers helped find five sentimental rings from rubbish. In New Hampshire, a team recovered a woman’s wedding ring from 20 tonnes of garbage.
The Van Ysseldyks’ story shows that sometimes, even in the dirtiest places, love shines the brightest.
