I make no apologies for my big sparkly ring. Does it define our relationship? Not at all. I said yes before I even knew about the ring. I would have still said yes had there been no ring at all.

Someday, though, I’d like a diamond eternity ring.

As with other non-essential spending, diamond buying is on a downward trend because right now people can’t afford it. Also, there are more people realizing that just because it’s traditional doesn’t make it a requirement, and then there was the popularity of the movie Blood Diamond, etc. Of course people are buying less and smaller diamonds.

Besides, someday people are going to figure out the ‘two months’ salary’ bit isn’t etiquette or proof of the bride’s worth, but an advertising slogan designed to sell more and bigger diamonds.

Want a massive diamond? Cool. If that’s what you want, and your true love can afford to get you the rock of your dreams, have at it. I’ll even send my entirely unnecessary blessings. Want a smaller diamond? You will never hear a nasty peep out of me. I say go for it. Want something else? Great. We are thinking alike. What goes on your finger should be something you truly love, whether that’s a big diamond, a little diamond, or something less expected.

The one thing I cannot stand in this regard is the conflation of size of rock with willingness to commit. My silver frog had a price tag of less than a hundred dollars, but it’s the perfect summation of us. It’s a symbol of the commitment, not the commitment itself. I’ve been wearing it for nearly twenty years now, and every single day I smile at it. Every single day it reminds me of why I love Mr. Twistie so very dearly.

What I wish for each and every one of you is that when you’ve been wearing the ring for twenty years or more, it still makes you happy, and still makes you think of your beloved with joy.

That’s the true meaning of a precious engagement ring, no matter what it’s made of or what size it is.