FARMINGTON – After ending a nine-year relationship, a local woman is trading her engagement ring for her love of art. Julie Robinson listed her Kay Jewelers diamond engagement ring on Facebook in hopes of trading it for art supplies.

“No one really seems interested in buying it, so I’m just looking for something out of it,” Robinson said. “Right before he left, I started painting again. I hadn’t in so many years.”

Robinson said there were tough times between her and her ex-finance. When she became pregnant with their baby, Robinson said she found out the gender of the baby alone and delivered her infant daughter with her mother by her side.

“In fact, I called (him) and called (him), and my mom called (him) while I was in labor giving birth,” Robinson said. “I kept picturing him rushing through the door at the last minute with some ridiculous excuse, but I would’ve just been happy he was there. He didn’t show up. In fact, the next day, he texted me and told me that I was selfish for expecting him to be there for me at 4 a.m.”

After she gave birth, Robinson worked hard and moved up in her job, from waitress to general manager.

“I worked hard to move my way up in my job to take care of my kids,” Robinson said. “Finally, I realized I could do it alone.”

Robinson said she asked her ex-fiance to leave and he packed up his car and drove away.

Now, Robinson is looking to trade an empty promise for the promise of creativity. While the post has been live since July 14, as of Thursday morning no one had fully committed to a trade.

“So right now it would be cool to come upon some (art) materials, have something I enjoy instead of this ring that means nothing,” Robinson said.

mmitchell@durangoherald.com