Ahhh…the engagement ring…an emblem of love. Society loves the symbolic gesture of a man (often on bended knee) presenting a ring and asking his beloved for her hand in marriage. So much effort goes into announcing to the world that these two people are getting married. Thousands of dollars are spent on engagement rings and engagement parties. And, of course there is social media, with all of the likes. Engagement rings and engagement parties are the it thing on social media.
On the other hand, this ceremonial dance may be hiding an underlying bone of contention encompassing major questions. How much should the ring cost; for example, should it be more or less than $500, or $5,000, or $5,000,000? Does the cost really reflect how much the man loves the woman? Is the cost of the ring a measurement of how long the marriage will last? There are women who feel that their worth means that they should have a very expensive ring. There are others who care little about the monetary value of the ring. Is there a right answer?
Technically, no. There is no right answer. The truth is, it is not its cost, or even how much the man can afford. It is actually a compatibility issue. If you are dating someone who believes purchasing an inexpensive ring and you, on the other hand, believe in having an expensive one, then chances are the two of you are not compatible. Further, this will become an issue in your relationship if you decide to get married.
There are those who like to purchase expensive items. There are those who do not care that much for expensive things. What is important is that the person you decide to marry is on the same page with you. You both should agree on what works for you.
If you happen to be dating someone and talk of marriage comes up it is a good time to discuss your thoughts about engagement rings, and their costs. Doing this can reveal whether you are truly compatible. What you do not want is to end up right at the beginning of your marriage in a situation where either is disappointed because neither wants the same thing.
Being honest about how you feel about this topic can save you a lot of drama down the line because it’s not the cost of the ring that keeps people in long lasting relationships. It’s compatibility. Before you make that leap make sure you are with someone who feels the same way you do so that you both end up with what you want!
~Kai
Follow me: @KaiNicole on Twitter, @KaiFlyMommy on Instagram. And, buy the best dating book for women, Date Like A Woman!
