the ring :)
I love my ring.
Most blogs I read do a “bling” post, and I decided today it is time for mine 
Let me start by saying that B and I aren’t your average engaged couple. There was no getting down on one knee, no surprise proposal. We were “unofficially” engaged for almost a year before I got my ring. And when I got it, we picked it out together and he put it on me right there in front of the Tiffany’s saleswoman.
You see, B and I are both very practical people. Especially me. I don’t date a guy unless I think marriage is an option (which is why I have only had 2 boyfriends, including B) so we were talking “one day” “our kids” etc. much earlier than we started talking about our wedding day. When we decided we wanted to get married, we were both excited, but to some people, no ring meant no wedding plans So I waited. And waited. And waited. Until one day I couldn’t wait anymore (I had already started buying Martha Wedding magazines, and I wanted to plan my wedding darnit!). We “talked” about it, and decided that saving for a house and being financially secure was more important than having a big rock on my finger, so the next day we went to Tiffany’s (his idea )
The original plan was to have me wear this for a while, and then one day, when more money had been saved, there would be a ‘real’ ring with a ‘real’ proposal. Well, after wearing it for a few weeks I decided. This was a ‘real’ ring, and what was the point of a ‘real’ proposal when we had already decided?
Thus, the story of my ring. I love it. It is simple and represents what an engagement ring is suppose to, that we have made a commitment to each other. Plus, it is really fun to watch people try and say something nice about it after the shock of seeing it 
You see, we live in Orange County, home of massive bling. But you know what, more often than not I get people praising it, commenting on how refreshing it is, how simply elegant. Yes, that is what we were going for… elegant… I think it has also taught me to simply say “congratulations” when someone tells me they are engaged. If she offers her hand, great, let me look at that sparkler! But if not, then a simple congratulations is in order. And, if you pull that hand from by her side, you better be prepared with something nice to say. I recommend “simply elegant”.
17 comments
Absolutely elegant and timeless … totally classic, and so true that it’s *yours*. Aren’t Rings funny that way? One day they’re just in a box or a case, and the next it’s like they’re an extension of your body. I never would have guessed that.
I love hearing about being “engaged without a ring”. We are in the same situation, and it frustrates me to no end how judgmental people have been that I don’t have a ring yet. How refreshing to hear of more people like us! With our house on the market, we put ring shopping on hold. For us, it was a common sense move.
it is funny watching peoples reactions. i have a simple ring too. a “wedding band” with diamonds as an engagement ring. but i LOVE it. it IS elegant. although, i must admit…there is a method to my madness…i picture quite a few more bands with diamonds on my ring finger as anniversaries go by.
Amen. I have a “non-traditional” ring as well. People never know quite what to say. I love it. It’s perfect. I shows how well he knows me.
I love how practical you are. I wish i could say I don’t want the rock. We have been together 4 years, and for some reason, I have always felt like I want to have something to “show” for it. I really want to change my way of thinking!
Brittany: I never said I didn’t want one
This one just fits with where we are in our lives right now, and it would have been impractical and selfish of me to ask him to go in to debt just so I could have something shiny. If your man has the money, go for it! 
We didn’t do the huge proposal, “down on one knee” thing either. We were also engaged for a awhile before I got my “rock”. I know exactly what Brittany means though. I don’t consider myself very materialistic but I definitely felt more engaged after I had something to show for it.
I love it!! It’s so timeless and ‘elegant’ is a perfect description! i love that you guys were practical about it all- my fi put my ring on a credit card… a no interest for 18 months CC, but a CC nonetheless. I kinda got mad at him when I found out, honestly! His debt becomes mine once we’re married, ya know? lol
saw this board and thought of you…
http://theblissfulbride.blogspot.com/2008/09/inspiration-gray-and-yellow.html
Gorgeous ring and lovely story!!
Very classy and simply elegant
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It’s kind of funny. We were engaged without a ring at first too and we got so much grief without a ring. We were just at the park watching my son play on the swings and having a normal conversation when he asked me to marry him. I was trying to be all simple and not cost us a lot of money when we went ring shopping and he was the one that said, “that won’t do – I know you are doing this to be nice and responsible” – haha. Even then he knew me better than anyone else. So he picked it out – I merely showed him the setting styles I liked and he took care of the rest. Funny thing though … what he picked ended up being perfect for me. I still get compliments on it … even though it’s lost some of it’s platinum shine.
I also live in Orange County (Newport Beach) so I totally understand the bling factor (ugh)…but I honestly, truly LOVE your ring! And I also love your blog, as you can tell since I am reading through all these archives!
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hi! I recently found your blog and I can’t tell you how “relate-able” everything is! My beau and I are also “basically” engaged with no ring yet. We live in NC and no one here would ever believe or take us seriously if we said we were truly engaged without a ring. oh well…i truly appreciate your point of view and am so enjoying your blog!
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