When we least expect it, fate can bring us together in funny ways. In the case of JoAnne Johnson and Shiloah Avery, fate brought them together in the national spotlight.
It all started with a trip to the Port Orchard Walmart in October. JoAnne and husband Kip, who live in town, went searching for an Instant Pot.
JoAnne saw one and took it out of its box to inspect it.
"We were like, that's a reasonable size for us, but I don't know if I'm ready yet," said JoAnne.
She put it back and began perusing the rest of the store. That was, until her left hand started to feel empty.
"I lost my wedding ring and (Kip) was like are you sure you had it on? And I'm like yes, I am sure!"
The Johnsons kept coming back to the Walmart for days following, and kept coming up empty-handed.
"I knew within a week or two at the most that it's done, it's history."
History, however, was still in the making.
On Christmas morning, Shiloah, who is also a part of the Port Orchard community, opened up her brand new Instant Pot. However, her gift happened to come with a little extra hardware.
"I took the unit out and right at the bottom of it, there was a Styrofoam ring and I was like, there's a wedding ring sitting in this box!" said Shiloah.
She posted it on Facebook on the Port Orchard community page and people began sharing. JoAnne happened to be scrolling her feed and came across it.
She messaged Shiloah and that Christmas evening, JoAnne went to the Averys' home and got her ring back:
While the two families met, something else happened -- Kip and JoAnne hit it off with the Averys and their three kids. Kip and JoAnne don't have any children of their own and they don't have any family in the state.
"It just worked out, we were able to be friends. I mean, she loves my kids, it's awesome. We got more family if anything," said Shiloah.
JoAnne also told us that four years ago, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and was given months to live. She thought she spent all her miracles during her successful fight with cancer.
"You think ok, getting my ring back would be a miracle, I've got my quota," she said.
JoAnne was proven wrong. Now she has her ring, a new friend and her "adopted" grandchildren.
"Everything happens for a reason."
The story has been picked up on national news outlets like Today.com.
The new friends hope their new found fame teach others a lesson about being there for one another and doing the right thing.
"Just pay it forward, just being there for each other and be open to being there for each other," said Shiloah.
"Your heart tells you what the right thing to do is," added JoAnne, "Your heart's telling you so just do it."