Put a Ring on It.

So. I want to talk seriously about rings right now. Not just rings, material things. (I'm kind of on a soap box, here). It's a topic that I recently discovered on a wedding discussion board (I will not say on which website, and will keep everything quite anonymous). The poster was upset because they disliked the size of the ring they were proposed to with, and thought that their betrothed did not spend much money at all on it (the amount of money was disclosed and it happens to be, for most people, a significant amount of money). Ok, sure---one can feel that way, I won't judge. However, to go on and on about how detrimental it is to their relationship and how the OP feels that they didn't get what they "deserved" made me tick. It started me thinking about how unfortunate it is that some people can't help but correlate material wealth with depth of love. Per this particular example, the size of the diamond (0.5 carats), was less than the OP said that she deserved. Now, do I know this person or her FI? No. Do I know their relationship? No. But what I do know is that currently the poster of this article cannot focus on her engagement ring as a symbol offered to her by her FI of love, regardless of size and price. And for that reason, the post actually bothered me.

Not to mention that she posted that engagement rings that are $1,000 and 0.5 carats as less than...whatever, I'll let that go. It's her opinion. Bottom line is if it is that important to her, the OP would need to have a mature and sensitive conversation with her fiance. Not complaining over a topic discussion board hoping to get sympathy over a disliked engagement ring. Please, don't get me wrong: I have absolutely no problem understanding people who have a specific dream ring or a vision of what they want being unhappy with what their SO offered them, so long as they find a way of conversing with their significant other about it. Not going behind their FI's back and degrading the ring that maybe the FI put effort into, genuinely thought would be accepted with happiness and had sentimental value. Then I thought that maybe the OP felt that her SO didn't put enough time, love and thought into the purchase ring? Even if that is the case, a simple conversation between two people who are about to promise the rest of their lives together would suffice. Call me 'Old Fashioned' but this sort of disrespect toward some one's future spouse is completely uncalled-for.

Why should a stone set in a band worn on your finger measure the relationship it represents?

Best,

Micah

P.S. Sorry for the kind of rant-y post. It was something that I felt very strongly about. I mean no hard feelings toward the poster of that particular topic board, or to anyone at all who feels the same way as she does. I am deeply sorry if I have offended any one in any way by writing about this topic. If I have, it was not my intention and I sincerely mean it. Just one of those things that really "Grinds my Gears..."

The Bended-Knee Proposal

I was looking yesterday at the pictures from the night that Patrick and I got engaged, and it really made me wonder, why the tradition of proposing on bended knee? Not that I'd have it any other way, don't get me wrong! --- I'm just curious as to how the tradition was started. So, I did me a little research on the interwebz, and...nothing.

On Wikipedia, it talks about the traditions of proposing on the whole, it barely mentions the knee thing. All the other sites I checked simply stated: there is no historical origin we know of the bended-knee proposal. Many sites say that it could have spawned from the tradition of knights kneeling to accept honors from their Royals. Some say that it is a sign of respect and spirituality delving from kneeling in prayer. It also "elevates the engagement ring between" the couple. For whatever reason, it stuck, and it marks the proposals of many couples each year.

There is something so romantic to me about this tradition. I guess, growing up, you see it in all the romantic movies and books, and it's something that tells you that this is real, it's happening to me. For me, I took it as a sign of ultimate respect and love from Patrick. It really showed me how much he honors me and our relationship.I think that it is a beautiful gesture. Of course I flung myself down to my knees with him after I said yes. I'm glad I did. I think now, looking back on it, I feel like joining him on bent knees was my way of reciprocating that respect and honor. Then again, it could have been the sheer joy I felt. (It was probably that).

I am in no way saying that if a man/woman proposes to their significant other without taking a knee that they don't love and respect their partner, nor am I saying that it devalues the proposal. I'm just speaking from our proposal and how it affected me.

Since the youtube, twitter and Facebook crazes, proposals have become more and more elaborate. More power to them, too! To each their own. It's such a reflection on the couples' style, and the bended or non-bended knee proposals are unique, special, and beautiful in their own ways.

How did your SO propose? Were they kneeling? How did it make you feel?

Best,

Micah

My Other Ring...

I want to talk about for a moment, my other ring. This ring was given to me by Patrick a mere three months after we began dating. At that point, I was determined to study a semester abroad in England, Patrick jokingly refered to it as a 'warning ring' to let everyone know that I was taken. It was so sweet, we were out walking and he took my hand and closed my fingers around it. It was a beautiful gift, and it made me feel very special and cared for.





Isn't she pretty?

It is a simple silver setting with blue topaz. I wore it every day since I got it (before the engagement ring of course!) on the right hand. So much so that the setting is warped flat, because of the delicate silver of the setting.

Peanut posing with my right-hand ring!

When Patrick proposed and presented me with the beautiful ring that is my e-ring, I began to wear less and less of my pretty right-hand ring. Maybe it's because of the warped setting, I'm not sure. But now, I want to do something with the topaz, because it is a gorgeous little stone and...it's BLUE!

Right-hand ring, meet Left-hand E-ring!

Snugs!

What should I do? Have it re-set? Make it into a necklace? It's a meaningful piece of jewelry, so I'd definitely like to re-purpose it.

Does anyone else have any right-hand rings?

Best,

Micah

Engage-aversary!

Today is our one year anniversary of being an engaged couple. A year ago, Patrick sweetly cooked his parents and I a lovely breakfast and sent me off to get my nails done with his mother. I, completely oblivious, went along with it and in the evening we rushed off for our dinner reservation at the Coast Guard House near what would be our venue, the Towers!

Me, about 20 minutes before Patrick proposed!
During our lobster ravioli dinner!

After some loving words and a tasty dinner, we decided to take a walk on the beach that we knew so well. Little did I know, our friends were waiting there for us! Patrick took me on a quick walk, and then suggested we head back. As we did, he pointed to what I would find out to be a gorgeous bouquet of blue roses, and I turned and found him on his knee! He asked me to be his wife and I said YES!!!!

It was such a beautiful moment. One that I will never forget!

Today, a year later, we celebrated with a yummy brunch together! Followed by a tasting of cupcakes from one of the bakeries that might end up doing the cupcakes for our wedding! It was lovely. It's nice to take the time to reflect on our year, and what's to come. 

Hello love!
(I may have finished the entire mountain of food I had)

The flavors we tried were Chocolate-frosted Vanilla, Boston Creme, Tiramisu, Vanilla-frosted Vanilla, Red Velvet and Carrot Cake! They were from the Newport Sweet Shoppe in Rhode Island and they were SOOOO good! It's going to be super hard to pick flavors (but we still have got one more bakery to try). (More on that later, of course!)

Patrick,

I love you so much. I can't wait for our wedding. Your proposal was the best night of my life. I love you forever. *****

Best,

Micah

A word on the Precious...

...My Precious (engagement ring) that is!

Lord of the Rings - Gollum

I know I have posted before some pictures of my ring, but I wanted to take a moment to talk a little about engagement rings, and in particular, my beauty. 

Of course, here are some pictures...

Swoon!!! Anyway, besides the fact that I love my ring, Patrick found it without any information or preferences from me. The other day when we had gone shopping for wedding rings, I was SOOOOO nervous about helping Patrick find the right one, and he bought me the perfect ring without any specifics! It must have been nerve-wracking.

When I thought about what I would want for my engagement ring, I never really had a true preference. To be completely honest, I thought I'd like a diamond, but had never really cared about the cut or setting. The ring Patrick found for me is perfect. I wouldn't ever change it. In fact, I am a little obsessive about it's care and cleaning, and also about staring at it when I think no one is watching. And now that I have it and it is a diamond, I wouldn't want any other stone. I am so grateful that P knows me so well, and gave me such a glorious gift, not only the diamond but the promise it stands for.

The thing is; yes he bought the perfect ring and I could wax poetic about it for hours, but (that would be really annoying, and) I do want to say that if he had given me anything; a pearl, a moissy, a ring-pop, a plastic spider ring from a vending machine --- I still would have said yes! 

Engagement rings were first used as a symbol of betrothal as far back as ancient Rome, and were first introduced into Western culture in the 13th century. The first well-documented use of a diamond ring to symbolize an engagement was by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria in imperial court of Vienna in 1477, when he became engaged to Mary of Burgundy. Another interesting tidbit is that t sewing thimbles were often used to symbolize engagement. Diamond rings and other expensive sparklys began becoming the new norm in proposals as the material image for the human sexuality. Also to visually symbolize the marriage prospects. Now, although diamonds are custom, we see all sorts of engagement rings as well as rings for the men or one who proposes in addition to wedding bands. 


I love that the engagement and wedding rings become an outward symbol to the world of the union of two people. And although, and I mean this, I would feel just as engaged to Patrick if I had no ring I am very honored to be able to wear a beautiful ring everyday that when I look down at it, I think of us. 


Best,


Micah


P.S. Now we have amazing shiny wedding bands to go with it! EEEK!