Gift one bracelet to someone you wish to create a special bond with. At the precise moment the bracelet is gifted, Christ will be present.
English version: (traduccion en espanol esta abajo)
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“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20.
Gift one bracelet to someone you wish to create a special bond with. At the precise moment the bracelet is gifted, Christ will be present. The bracelet symbolizes the bond formed when you are apart and forever unites you both in His name.
Bracelets made with a sterling silver cross, authentic olive wood beads from Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and tools that were blessed at the Vatican in Rome.
"The Story"
Ten years ago, I received a small gift from my Tia (Aunt) Eddy when I was visiting my family in Colombia. She had just returned from Italy and purchased my gift at the Vatican. It was a modest and unassuming olive wood bracelet with a sterling silver cross.
I was very appreciative of the gift but I felt uncertain about wearing it. I had never worn a bracelet before and although I have worn a gold necklace with a cross and medallion under my shirt all my life, I had never worn anything that signified my faith openly. Because of how close I am with my Tia Eddy, I decided to wear it for the few days while I was there. I planned on taking it off once I arrived to the United States.
After a few days of wearing the bracelet, I noticed that I was beginning to like wearing it. Seeing the cross daily, I felt “protected” by it. I felt “safe.” I also felt that the daily reminder of the cross, motivated me to try to be as kind, compassionate, and considerate as possible. I decided to keep on wearing it. Once back home in the States, I received many compliments on the bracelet and many inquiries about where I got it. I liked wearing it more and more every day.
Then, unexpectedly, I lost it. Couldn’t find it anywhere. I was upset because it was a gift from my Tia, I liked wearing it and because I wasn’t going to the Vatican any time soon to get a replacement. On a whim, I decided to learn how to make the bracelet myself. I did research and found an olive wood supplier in Bethlehem, Israel. I made my first bracelet and again wore it daily. I continued to get compliments and whenever someone did, I either gave them my own bracelet right there and then and then made another for myself or if they wanted one, I would make them a new one.
Over the years, I made bracelets for my 4 children, mother, siblings, and close friends. I have created or strengthened a special bond with all of the people I have given bracelets to. I constantly received requests for bracelets.
After so many years, I started to notice something pretty remarkable. Firstly, I felt really good about giving them out to people. “Giving” feels good. I liked seeing people’s face expressions, hearing their gratitude, and feeling the connection that was formed by gifting the bracelet to them. People seemed to really like receiving them, however modest and unassuming that they are. I also noticed that the people who received them never took them off and have worn them daily for years.
Why was it? Why would people wear such a modest piece of jewelry daily and often times, like in my own experience, without ever having worn a bracelet before? Why would they publicly display their faith when they had never before? I believe it is not because of the attractiveness of the bracelet itself and certainly not just because I gave it to them but I believe it is because it was given to them as a gift, the cross was tasteful and unassuming and people welcomed wearing a cross because of their faith and what it meant to them.
After 7 years of making hundreds of bracelets for family, friends and even strangers, and after countless suggestions to open a small business, I have decided to make this dream a reality. Not just because I think so many people would like the bracelets, but more so because I believe people want to create special bonds with loved ones or anyone special in their lives and they want to grow in their faith.
People are inherently good and feel good about giving. With all of the challenges and difficulties in the World today, people want comfort. They find this comfort in part by elevating their spirituality and their relationship with Christ. People want to strengthen their closeness with loved ones. People want to create closeness with certain people. People want to be a part of something, feel a bond with someone, feel a bond with Christ.
I am excited and happy to introduce my new company, “mateo18twenty.” I wish you all the happiness and blessings as you create or strengthen special bonds with that special someone in your life.
La Historia"