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Laassh

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 17, 2008
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Hi ladies!

I''m a lurker. I hope I''m not posting in the wrong section. My FF/F love each other very much. However, I am very dissapointed. He asked me what I wanted in an e-ring. I told him that I didn''t want to pick it out, but I told him what I liked. I told him that I would like to wear my great-grandmother''s diamond setting or have the diamonds incorporated in some way into the ring. If her original setting was too badly damaged that I would like to replace it with a similar 1920s antique style. Her ring and diamonds would be the only thing I had to remember her by. She was a strong, tough woman, like me. I thought this had great symbolism. I later found out that he had bought an engagement ring and had to return it. We had the talk about the importance of e-rings, and how they are supposed to fit the personality of the woman you buy for. I thought it was straightened out. Then, while I was out of town getting medical treatment, he buys another e-ring. He even told me the price. Then months later her proposed with it. I knew he couldn''t return it, and I said yes. Now I have a e-ring that I hate and think is a waste of money. It is a 1/4 carat diamond solitaire on a skinny white-gold band. It is impractical and dwarfed by my hand. He told me he wanted to get something very simple and uncomplicated and pure like me. He also told me he wouldn''t spend more that 600 on an engagement ring EVER on principle. He has this weird thing about buying high quality things and spending large chunks of money at once. However, he spends more than six hundred on just one of his hobbies a year. Plus, my solution was meaningful, I actually liked it, and CHEAP! All he would had to have done is pay for resetting, cleaning, and resizing, or possibly a new setting. ARRRRGGGHH!!!!!!!
 
have you talked to him about it??? have you mentioned it at all?
 
i have, i told him that it hurt that he didn''t take my opinion ( or my personal style and prefences) into account when buying the ring. I told him it had nothing to do with the size or price of the ring, but the other things. He recongized this, but hasn''t talked about it again ( as far as a solution or anything) again
 
i am confused as to why he would listen to your input and then do something different. I think that it is pretty ridiculous that he is insisting on a ring that he knows you don''t like. you have to wear that ring for the rest of your life.. why wouldn''t he want you to have something that you love.. and better yet, one that means something to you.

since you two are engaged to be married you should be open with him. let him know that his complete disregard for what you want is making you upset and you need to discuss it further.
 
I also told him that most women wear there engagement rings their whole lives and that, along with the promise, is why they are important. We are a young couple and a cheap ( but not unique) engagement ring makes it look to family and friends that he is incapable of supporting us and is just that . . . cheap. And when people like my family say that, I can''t say anything about why he went with this ring . . . because although it had thought and love behind it, it was the completely wrong and almost offensive thought. I dislike the ring, the way it looks on me, and the proposal so much I don''t want to even wear it, instead of being excited (plus, he already told his family and all my friends about the engagement while i was away for medical stuff, so there is no reason to be excited, that and although we are getting married in May, he says that we cannot start any serious planning or putting money down now).
 
Here''s my advice: sure, it sucks that you didn''t get what you want, but it sounds like that''s the way it''s gonna be.

But, why don''t YOU get your great-grandma''s ring set and cleaned to wear yourself? There''s no reason that you can''t devote your own money to this project if it means something to you. Lots of us around here buy ourselves jewelry. Just take on the project yourself.

And as for the e-ring you don''t much like, just get a super blingy wedding band, and don''t wear the e-ring if you don''t want to once you''re married. If he doesn''t see the e-ring as all that ''important'' then he won''t mind! Start saving for the blingy band of your dreams and then you''ll be good to go.

Well, that''s what I would do, but that doesn''t mean it would work for you!
 
Laash,

Are you starting to feel like a doormat? I don''t understand why he''s making all the rules (it''s actually really upsetting me). He disregards your wishes for a ring. He makes the engagement announcement without you. He decides when you start planning the wedding. He decides when you start saving for the wedding. No wonder you''re not so happy about your engagement! I mean, WTF?

Engagement rings are one of the most emotional purchases people will make in a lifetime. It isn''t about money. It''s about feelings. I think it was a beautiful idea for you to incorporate your grandma''s ring as your engagement ring. Relationships and marriage are about communication and respect. Why isn''t he listening to you? Is he comfortable about you wearing a ring that you don''t like?
 
Date: 9/17/2008 1:41:33 PM
Author: Inanna
Laash,

Are you starting to feel like a doormat? I don''t understand why he''s making all the rules (it''s actually really upsetting me). He disregards your wishes for a ring. He makes the engagement announcement without you. He decides when you start planning the wedding. He decides when you start saving for the wedding. No wonder you''re not so happy about your engagement! I mean, WTF?

Engagement rings are one of the most emotional purchases people will make in a lifetime. It isn''t about money. It''s about feelings. I think it was a beautiful idea for you to incorporate your grandma''s ring as your engagement ring. Relationships and marriage are about communication and respect. Why isn''t he listening to you? Is he comfortable about you wearing a ring that you don''t like?
i totally agree. i have been trying to think of how to put it... and i want to be kind while doing it...but here goes.....

i think that your fiance is controlling and i think that its sad and scary. he has taken this special time in BOTH OF YOUR LIVES and he has made it about him.. about what HE thinks you should wear, when HE thinks you can put money down, you cannot announce the engagement because HE has already done so... i just think his behavior is total selfish crap. i know that when you love someone it is hard to confront this behavior, but i think in this case it is really important. there are so many signs here... you need to watch out for them.
 
Date: 9/17/2008 1:20:38 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Here''s my advice: sure, it sucks that you didn''t get what you want, but it sounds like that''s the way it''s gonna be.

But, why don''t YOU get your great-grandma''s ring set and cleaned to wear yourself? There''s no reason that you can''t devote your own money to this project if it means something to you. Lots of us around here buy ourselves jewelry. Just take on the project yourself.

And as for the e-ring you don''t much like, just get a super blingy wedding band, and don''t wear the e-ring if you don''t want to once you''re married. If he doesn''t see the e-ring as all that ''important'' then he won''t mind! Start saving for the blingy band of your dreams and then you''ll be good to go.

Well, that''s what I would do, but that doesn''t mean it would work for you!

ditto. fix your grandmother''s ring yourself and wear it... God gave us ten fingers afterall
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You don''t have to wear your engagement ring for the rest of your life if you don''t like it. It stinks that he didn''t do what you asked, but his reasoning sounds very sweet in a dumb boy kind of way, and that''s the symbol he chose to give.

One advantage of not proposing with your grandmother''s ring is that when people admire it, you can talk about your grandmother instead of having to "share" the ring''s meaning between your grandmother and your husband. Two separate rings for two separate and special people.
 
I feel silly about this, but at the same time, this is the second time this has brought me to tears. I thank you guys for your suggestions. I would love to just wear my great grandmother''s ring, but I don''t wear a lot of jewelry. I have a disease that makes my joints in my hands swell up, so in particular I don''t wear rings. The only rings I''ve ever worn was one he gave me as a gift and now the engagement ring. (Don''t get me wrong, I love rings and jewelry but it is a struggle for me to get rings on and off and to do things like clasps on necklaces as it is hard for me to hold my hands over my shoulders to clasp it). The engagement ring, wedding ring, and earrings are the only things I can manage/are worth bothering with to me. That is part of the reason the engagement ring is so important, because it will probably be one of the only pieces of jewelry I will ever get from him and be one of the only pieces i will ever wear. Also, me receiving my great grandmother''s ring is contingent on it being an engagement ring, and otherwise will go to other family members that have other tokens from my grandmother that I do not. Part of the reason I do not like the solitaire is because it is impractical and I keep scratching myself with it and can''t think about what it would do once we have babies. Also, I like the antique settings because they are pretty from the side as well and because my hands swell and because i cannot wear the ring at my job I wanted something that I could still wear that would look nice on a chain over my heart. I''m not sure my man is what you would call controlling, but rather it upsets me that he now realizes that this was a mistake (after I told him the importance of the object and to please not do exactly what he did) but does not want to make any moves to correct it.
 
oh, and it did bother me when he went around telling his family and all of OUR close friends about the engagement and the ring before he had even asked me ( we had talked about it, but still). It also upset me a bit when he decided when we were going to begin planning the wedding. When I told him that wasn''t enough time to get a wedding dress from a shop, he asked me if I could make one. He won''t talk about the wedding until he has the money for it. That means I am going to be planning a wedding and making the dress and possibly a cake in less than five or six months. This is more stressful because I have an illness to deal with (one that makes handling stress hard on my body) as well as work 10 hour days. It is my wedding two, I should at least get to choose if I buy the dress or make it! Lol, that is my little rant. He really isn''t controlling, but because we want to get married at a certain date I have to work around him.
 
sorry for the posts, but I just realized something else. I''m upset that he didn''t start saving for the wedding when we picked a date. Then he goes and spends money on a ring that he didn''t have to, money that meant that I could have had enough time to plan a wedding and so i could put deposits on things like venues and pay for a dress ( things that have to be done 1 year to 8 months in advance).
 
Have you two considered couples counselling? Sorry but this doesn''t sound like a marriage made in heaven to be...

What''s going to happen once you want kids? Will you HAVE to give birth on some pre-ordained day or something?

Girl, pick yourself up off the floor, stop letting him wipe his feet on the doormat he''s turning you into and start working out exactly what you are signing up for.
 
Oh goodness, I didn''t mean to set off everyone''s alarm systems. I just needed to let off a little steam. My SO is really a very supportive, sweet guy. However, he isn''t very good with the "correct" ways to go about things like marriage and that leads him to do silly things and make my life more difficult. It doesn''t mean that he doesn''t care for me. He is a typical guy and likes to reach an easy solution to a problem. His way of dealing with problems without really easy or idea solutions is to pick a solution that works for him and decide that that is the answer, just a typical stubborn guy. I''m sorry if I upset anyone, I just don''t have a lot of friends to talk to do to my illness and moving and I just let all the little things go. I really came on the site to talk about the ring, why I was upset about it, and what I should do.

Thanks ladies!
 
wow. knowing all that - your fiance is an idiot.
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sorry.


I didn''t realize the diamond ring was only yours if it was an engagement ring. If he knew that, and you are sure that your made it clear to him that it was not just an available option, but your actual wishes, then I am mad at him for you!

Who turns down free diamonds and insists that their wife have tiny ones instead? on principle? that doesn''t make any sense.
 
Date: 9/17/2008 7:54:33 PM
Author: Laassh
Oh goodness, I didn't mean to set off everyone's alarm systems. I just needed to let off a little steam. My SO is really a very supportive, sweet guy. However, he isn't very good with the 'correct' ways to go about things like marriage and that leads him to do silly things and make my life more difficult. It doesn't mean that he doesn't care for me. He is a typical guy and likes to reach an easy solution to a problem. His way of dealing with problems without really easy or idea solutions is to pick a solution that works for him and decide that that is the answer, just a typical stubborn guy. I'm sorry if I upset anyone, I just don't have a lot of friends to talk to do to my illness and moving and I just let all the little things go. I really came on the site to talk about the ring, why I was upset about it, and what I should do.


Thanks ladies!

Don't worry Lassh, I think your posts have been eloquent and I feel I know exactly where you are coming from.
My man is the old-fashioned type - in that he doesn't really see the value of jewellery, thinks sentiments can never replace actions, and saw marriage as a necessary, somewhat unpleasant formality that enabled me to stay with him for the rest of his life.
So, kind of 'rough-hewn' romantic.

My man did not set foot inside a jewellery store. So he had no idea about costs. He has no sisters, and is (was) a very sporty, scientific type bloke, so the whole 'sentimental jewellery' thang just went clear over his head.
After much searching, I was quoted a price of $2000 for a ring. He hit the roof. We were establishing our own business at the time. I finally settled on a ring worth, yes, $600! But this is in the Australian market, so it's probably not nearly as nice as yours!

The funny thing is, my man has softened over the years. I know he understands better now, then he did before. It is likely I will get my 'grown up' engagement ring, probably for my ten year anniversary... but in the meantime, I DO love my little ring, it is sweet, pretty and not at all pretentious. And in those ways, it is separate from the whole 'rat-race' thing that every other aspect of our lives seems to incorporate these days.

Your relationship with your man is your very own, and no-one else will ever really know the love that you two share. Money makes life comfortable, but it can't buy really buy love.

As for your grandmother's ring...it does seem a great shame he felt it necessary to make a gesture all his own. Is it possible he could see the error of his ways, go to your parents, and ask for the ring? The ring that he got you could become the 'proposal ring'...? You could wear it on a chain, permanently, if you didn't mind leaving it on. That might work better if it was a bezel setting. Hm, I would also consider asking your parents for their honest advice. Sounds like they'd rather you have grandma's ring as well! Good luck Lassh!
 
Hey Laassh:

I''m so sorry you''re going through this. I''m sure you just wanted to vent and didn''t expect some of the responses you got. I''m not sure you''ll like mine either, but this board is a community of people who really do care about each other and your email did send red flags up for lots of readers....me included.

I speak from experience that "what you see is what you get" when you''re in a relationship with someone. While people may "soften" or change somewhat over time, their basic personality is already formed. If you feel you have to "re-make" someone to get your needs met in a relationship, you may find yourself disappointed down the line. In my opinion, it sounds like you may not always be heard or considered in this relationship.

[I''m sorry I''m a techno dum-dum so I didn''t know how to highlight parts of your first email so I just cut out the things I wanted to highlight below.]

He asked me what I wanted in an e-ring.

He asked but he didn''t LISTEN. Is this the dynamic you want in your marriage? How you spend your money as a couple, the house you buy, the way you raise your children? Is this typical of him? If so, you may not be able to change this part of his personality. If you see this as a pattern in your relationship or if his unwillingness to discuss wedding planning, unwilling to LISTEN to your concerns about the time it takes to order a wedding dress, etc, this may be the kind of person he is. I read in another post you wrote that he doesn''t always know how to do the correct things or do things the right way....are you making excuses for him? Listening to the woman you love and doing whatever it takes to make her happy is NOT "etiquette" it''s the basis for a happy relationship.

She was a strong, tough woman, like me.

I LOVE strong, tough women!!
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Would your grandmother be happy for you in the kind of relationship you describe? You sound like a sweet, caring person and I''m sure you don''t want to hurt his feelings and his pride since he did this on his own. But you and your F are going to be TEAM and that means you both have to listen, understand, and make the other person a priority at times. Would a strong, tough woman really allow her BF/F/DH to call all the shots especially if he didn''t put her needs and wishes first?

However, he spends more than six hundred on just one of his hobbies a year.

Again, is this typical of your relationship? Are you #2 to his #1? Five years, 10 years from now, how will you feel as the strong, tough woman you are in a relationship with someone who puts himself first?

Have you sat down with him, taken his hand, looked into his eyes and shared your true feelings about this situation? You are hurt and now you''re becoming angry. Does he really, truly know how you feel? If he really knows how you feel and he hasn''t made any effort to fix this situation, please, PLEASE consider the message he is sending to you about your place in this relationship and in his heart.
 
Hi, Laassh, and welcome! It sounds like you''ve gotten a lot of awesome advice here, but I''d particularly like to ditto Inanna and LaraOnline.

I''m sure that your guy has a lot of sterling characteristics, but they''re not coming out in this scenario, at all: it sounds like he''s taking advantage of what a kind and understanding person to steam-roll right over you. Someone above me - Pandora, I think? - recommended couples counseling. That sounds like a great plan, because you need to negotiate some strategies to get more of a voice in your relationship.

In the meantime, why not try addressing these issues with him directly? Maybe something short, sweet, and to the point like: "Hi, honey, I love you, and I''m so glad we''re engaged, but there are a few things that are bugging me. Like my ring ... it''s uncomfortable to wear, and on top of that, it''s not what we discussed. Marriage should be about joint decisions, right? So, since we jointly decided to use my grandmother''s ring, can we go and talk to my parents about that this weekend?" You''re being nice and patient and not guilting him, but you''re still standing up for what you want and setting the terms for how to do it.

Same thing for the wedding planning ... it''s easier to budget and plan when you have MORE time, not less! He might not be aware of that, but he''ll have to accede to common sense when you point that out, right? If not, then there really might be more control and less good-intentions-gone wrong in play ....
 
Date: 9/17/2008 6:42:51 PM
Author: Laassh
oh, and it did bother me when he went around telling his family and all of OUR close friends about the engagement and the ring before he had even asked me ( we had talked about it, but still). It also upset me a bit when he decided when we were going to begin planning the wedding. When I told him that wasn''t enough time to get a wedding dress from a shop, he asked me if I could make one. He won''t talk about the wedding until he has the money for it. That means I am going to be planning a wedding and making the dress and possibly a cake in less than five or six months. This is more stressful because I have an illness to deal with (one that makes handling stress hard on my body) as well as work 10 hour days. It is my wedding two, I should at least get to choose if I buy the dress or make it! Lol, that is my little rant. He really isn''t controlling, but because we want to get married at a certain date I have to work around him.
Laassh,

It sounds to me like your FI is clueless about wedding planning. YOU need to educate him. Do you really want to make your wedding gown? Are you a good enough seamstress to do that? (I sew, and there is no way I would take on making a wedding gown!) If you do want to make it, why not start it now? You don''t have to have the wedding details in place before you start the gown.

Most men are clueless about wedding planning and the fact that you have to book many things well in advance. I would not sit back and let him dictate all of these things when he probably doesn''t understand that you have to plan well ahead.
 
Ask him if you could take the ering he bought and wear it in a pendant close to your heart and set gma''s the way you like to wear on your finger?
 
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