I really hate when a woman's ring is seen as marked territory to scare off other men. I'm not territory--I'm actually an independent person with my own agency. I have the right to turn someone down, regardless of my reasons, and my authority in such a situation is way more valid than Chris's "claim" on me is. Here's a quote from someone who explains it beautifully:
The idea that a woman should only be left alone if she is “taken” or “spoken for” (terms that make my brain twitch) completely removes the level of respect that should be expected toward that woman. It completely removes the agency of the woman, her ability to speak for herself and make her own decisions regarding when and where the conversation begins or ends.
(Source, if you're interested in learning more.)
All that to say I have a very strong aversion to rings as symbols of ownership, and much prefer to wear them as a sign of a promise (isn't the circle meant to symbolize an unbroken commitment?). So Chris and I are making the same commitment, and we both have rings as an outward sign.
Isn't his cool? It's made of reclaimed sterling silver with an oxidized finish. We both wanted rings that didn't come from extraction industries (North American companies that mine precious metals and gems in other countries, often in impoverished communities at great risk to the local people who aren't compensated anywhere near what the final jewelry sells for), so the reclaimed silver is a perfect fit. It was made by Julie, an independent artist in Washington.
I also got down on one knee and proposed. I was too excited to wait more than a few hours after picking up the ring, so I proposed at the dining room table on our traditional sushi Wednesday. That way he had the ring for Thanksgiving festivities the next day, which was a great relief, because I was hinting at hiding the ring in the turkey carcass for him to find during dinner.
Isn't his cool? It's made of reclaimed sterling silver with an oxidized finish. We both wanted rings that didn't come from extraction industries (North American companies that mine precious metals and gems in other countries, often in impoverished communities at great risk to the local people who aren't compensated anywhere near what the final jewelry sells for), so the reclaimed silver is a perfect fit. It was made by Julie, an independent artist in Washington.I also got down on one knee and proposed. I was too excited to wait more than a few hours after picking up the ring, so I proposed at the dining room table on our traditional sushi Wednesday. That way he had the ring for Thanksgiving festivities the next day, which was a great relief, because I was hinting at hiding the ring in the turkey carcass for him to find during dinner.
