CRESTVIEW — It’s the story of a boy, a girl and a ring.
George Hillsman Jr. graduated from Crestview High School in 2012 and received a class ring from his father, Crestview Parks and Recreation supervisor George Hillsman Sr., as a memento of his achievements in basketball, football and track.
Over Christmas, George Jr. gave the ring as a token of affection to, as George Sr. put it, “some young lady.”
But the relationship soured, and George Jr. asked for his ring back.
“She said, ‘I’ll look for it,’ George Sr. said.
But alas, it was lost.
Two weeks ago, Niceville resident Connie Hanley found it in a pharmacy parking lot.
“I saw it when I got out of the car to go into CVS and it was still there when I came out,” she said. “Then I looked at it and saw it was a real fancy ring. It was real nice and blingy.”
Hanley saw George’s name engraved on the jewelry, and had an Eglin Air Force Base colleague call CHS to get the ring owner’s contact information.
Hanley sent the ring to George Sr., who Tuesday morning returned it to George Jr., who is taking a break from college and working as a sports referee for Hub City Officials.
George Sr. sent Hanley a “thank you” note and a modest reward for finding and returning his son's class ring.
But it wasn't necessary, Hanley said.
“He didn’t need to reward me,” she said. “I just wanted to do what’s right.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lost Crestview High class ring found in Niceville parking lot (VIDEO)