No.
Wow. That simple, huh?
Yes. It’s that simple. Your proposal is your proposal. Your relationship is your relationship.
Your marriage is your marriage. You get to decide and nobody else.
So, the short answer is no. Here’s a little longer of an answer:
No, an engagement ring is not mandatory. It’s not necessary for a proposal and a wedding band isn’t mandatory for a marriage. Whether or not to have an engagement ring is a personal choice. It depends on your relationship, values, and preferences. There are many people who believe that engagement rings are an outdated tradition. There are others who believe they are a meaningful symbol of love and commitment.
There is a great deal of symbolism in an engagement ring. The precious materials used symbolize rarity and value so they reflect the value of love and the rarity of the object of your affection. You’ve probably heard that diamonds are forever. You may have heard about how the ring itself, a circle, reflects eternal love because there’s no begging and no end. Every gem symbolizes something different. Gold, white gold, platinum, rose gold, silver, and titanium all symbolize different things. An engagement ring can be a very potent picture of your love.
But it’s a picture. It’s not the love. Can someone be in love with a girl without carrying a picture of her in his wallet? Can a girl love a man if his picture isn’t on the home screen of her phone? Can a man love his husband without a picture of him on his desk? You get the point, right? Love doesn’t require symbols.
However, the symbols have become an important aspect of the culture. If you don’t get an engagement ring, people will mention it. They may doubt your commitment. My attitude is that you should let them doubt. If you and your partner make the decision, nobody else gets a say. You should be prepared for it, though.
If you want the symbol, give me a call. If you’re looking for an engagement ring in San Diego, give this third-generation jeweler a chance to make it happen for you. You can just drop by my La Jolla showroom. You’ll be glad you did.
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