Everyone’s engagement story usually has the same ending: The girl ends up with a ring. As much as I love my diamond(s), I felt something was wrong. Unequal. Why am I the only one with a promise ring on over here? Where is physical proof of his commitment to me?

Something needed to change. Tradition needed to break. Any man of mine needs to be egalitarian.

I sat my fiance down and had the talk. I padded it so as not to offend him.

Man, was that unnecessary. He was totally on board. He said he wanted to give it a try.

He’s an athletic guy and we didn’t want to break the bank on anything that could get scratched or bent. He also didn’t want to wear two rings after we tie the knot. Then we found Enso. It’s a silicone jewelry company that works perfectly for the every day. Because it’s soft and bendable, it will break if it gets caught on something (rock wall, climbing, tools). We thought we would ‘invest’ in this athletic ring type to use after the wedding to replace the gold band during athletic adventures.

I should have never been worried.

He is obsessed.

He ordered five rings.

I guess if you’re a jewelry virgin then you want to be sure it’s a solid YES before you pick any old piece. The real cherry on top here is that I did ZERO research on the ‘Five C’s”!

And you know what? Since he picked out the one he liked, he hasn’t taken it off. He is in love. Sound familiar, ladies?

He says he feels ‘taken’ now and that the public finally knows he’s with a lady (as if me hanging off his arm wasn’t enough).

Oddly though, he has had to ward off several crabby doubty men. He has been asked several times if we have something to share. ‘No, we have not eloped.’ Some guys may think it’s odd, but I think it’s jealousy.

My main point here is that men should know how this feels! No longer are engagement rings meant to just signify the marking of property, but a declaration of a choice! As far as I’m concerned that goes both ways.

So don’t deprive your dude of bling to flash his buddies. Give him a reason to put HIS left hand on your shoulder during your engagement photo shoots.

After all, he agreed to marry me too :)