16. BELLS: One of the most common symbols of marriage and weddings. The minute I entered my mother’s hotel room, they noticed my ring. “Oh my God, this is just too gorgeous!” my mother said, pulling my hand. “This is expensive!” my aunt breathed. “It’s a Harry Winston!” “You’re embarrassing me!” I hissed at them. Ryder just chuckled. “You spoil her too much, young man,” my mother said, but I could tell that she was very happy for me. “She deserves it, Mrs. Jacobson,” he said. “Astrid deserves to wear a ring as beautiful as she is.” Ryder was the epitome of grace and gallantry. He was everything a girl could ask for in a boyfriend! It’s like he was ripped right out of the pages of a romance novel. Sweet, funny, he treated my mother and my aunt like they were queens. He kept up wit

