Embarking on the Perfect Ring Quest with My Fiancé

Hello everyone & welcome back to Flourish! It is September 6th, 2023 when I am writing this blog entry and I am NOT engaged. Though I'm not currently engaged as I write this, by the time you are reading this I am incredibly honored and blessed to say that I am happily engaged to the man of my dreams. There is nobody in this world that can get the glory from this moment but God Himself. To get to this particular moment in time feels like a dream. There were many tears, doubts, pain, and concerns about whether I would ever see and experience the man that God had in store for me but God worked it all out for my good and His glory. 

For those who are new to my website, I have documented my season of singleness and self-discovery in previous blog entries. If you have not done so yet, I invite you to peruse those entries in addition to this one to have a better understanding of my story. In celebration of my engagement, I wanted to share my journey of going ring shopping with my now-fiancé! It was quite the experience, so join me as we delve into this memorable adventure. 

Since I was about sixteen years old I had an idea of what I wanted my ring to look like. Now, at the age of twenty-seven, a little over a decade later, my style and preferences have naturally evolved. I was no longer interested in having a lot of diamonds on my ring. Nor did I want a ring that was extremely flashy or drew a lot of attention from others. All I wanted was a simple white gold ring that was elegant and timeless. To God be the glory, that is exactly what I got. My first piece of advice to my ladies is to envision the ring you desire and, if you believe the person you're in a relationship with is your future husband, share that vision with him. This will eliminate the guessing game on his end, and allow him to consider the budget for your potential ring sooner rather than later. I understand that it may feel intimidating to share a picture of your ideal ring, as I felt that way too, but the reward is well worth it.

About a year after sending my then-boyfriend pictures of my potential ring, one day he asked if I wanted to go look at rings together. My response was undoubtedly “YES!”. This was a significant moment for me because before dating him, I would go look at rings with my close friends and we would have the time of our lives seeing what styles piqued our interest, but now I was going with my future husband, the man I was no longer imagining but the one who was standing right in front of me. 

However, as we stepped into the first jewelry store, my initial excitement quickly turned into nerves that seemed to consume me within minutes! If I am being honest, I was taken aback by the intensity of my nervousness. At that moment, I was overwhelmed by the significance of the occasion, in the most wonderful way of course. A part of me wanted to cry because I couldn't believe the incredible journey that the Lord had guided me through to get to where I was that day. 

When I tried on the first ring, no joke, I started shaking. It was hilarious! My then-boyfriend said “It’s so weird seeing a ring on your finger” and he was right. It was so weird!  For those of you who anticipate experiencing this someday, I want you to know that your emotional reaction might catch you by surprise, but that's perfectly okay! Embrace those feelings because they are genuine. Cherish every moment and savor the entire journey, for this is just the beginning.

As time passed, I began to settle into the ring-shopping process, feeling more relaxed and comfortable. However, as we visited different jewelers, I couldn't help but worry because none of the rings seemed to be “the one”. By this point, We had already explored options at a second jeweler and I was still unsatisfied. Just before considering giving up, we decided to make one last stop at another store to see what they had to offer. 

To my absolute surprise, within minutes of entering the third store, there it was – THE ring. The moment I laid eyes on the ring, I knew it was the one I had been searching for. The jeweler handed me the ring so I could try it on. As soon as it slipped onto my finger I never wanted to take it off. It felt like it belonged to me and I couldn't have been happier. Once I made my decision, my now fiance asked me to step away so that he could talk to the jeweler privately, which was a gesture I appreciated. After their discussion, we concluded our memorable experience with lunch, during which we shared our thoughts and feelings about the ring. It was a day well spent, filled with anticipation and the promise of a beautiful future together as one. 

As I wrap up this blog, I'd like to share a few additional tips. Ladies, when you embark on the journey of ring shopping with your future fiancé, remember the importance of including him in this special experience. After all, he plays a significant role in making this moment memorable. One of the highlights of our day was when I encouraged my fiancé to get his finger measured and try on wedding bands too. I wanted to shift some of the focus away from me and allow him to explore what appealed to him, considering he'd also be wearing a ring for the rest of his life.

Secondly, ladies if you cant find the ring you envisioned in the store please do not settle. Keep searching until you find the ring that makes you truly happy. I was very underwhelmed by the options I was being presented at the first two jewelers because all of the rings seemed very generic. Nothing spoke out to me until I visited the last jeweler. Let's say I hadn't found the perfect ring that day – that would have been perfectly fine with me. I'd much rather invest the time in finding a ring that aligns with my preferences than to rush into a choice that I never loved. Your engagement ring should be a reflection of your unique style and taste.

Now, for all the gentlemen reading this, if you're still uncertain about your future fiancée's preferences, even after she's shared photos with you, consider inviting her to join you in the ring selection process. Making it a joint experience can help avoid any potential misunderstandings or mistakes, and it's a decision she'll appreciate in the long run. Although I sent my fiancé pictures of what I wanted, he communicated to me that he couldn’t have done this process without me. He was determined to ensure that I received precisely what I desired, and I can confidently say that he succeeded.

For those who are engaged or even married, I would love to read about your quest for the perfect ring! Was your experience similar to mine, or did it unfold in a completely different way? Were you as composed as a cucumber or were your nerves as active as mine? Please share your stories and insights in the comments below – I'm eager to read all about it. And for those who haven't yet reached this stage of life, let's have a conversation about how you envision this experience unfolding for you. Your thoughts and dreams are valuable too.  Thank you for taking the time to read this entry. If you'd like to submit a prayer request, please feel free to do so through the dedicated tab above. Additionally, if you wish to support this ministry, you can make a donation on our homepage. Wishing you all a blessed day!