Taking the Next Step in Your Relationship
This past weekend I got a promise ring from my boyfriend, and I couldn’t be happier. While we took the next step in our relationship, that doesn’t mean an engagement is coming anytime soon. The two are two entirely different steps.
When you get engaged, you make sure the whole world knows. From pictures to posts, you let everyone knows you’re getting hitched. As you should, you have every right to brag because marriage is forever.
But something is different about promise rings.To me, they seem more intimidate because you’re not ready for marriage, but you already know you’ve found the one. I’m sure I’ll post a picture and tell my friends about it, but to me its more personal. It’s literally a really expensive promise between me and my significant other than we only truly understand.
I guess that’s because everyone has a different interpretation of what a promise ring is. For us, we know we want forever, but in time. There’s no rush. I want an even more expensive Tiffany engagement ring so I know my boyfriend doesn’t mind waiting, and I personally want to be more established in my career before I imagine planning a lavish wedding.
But not everyone wants or needs a promise ring. If you’re content without one, I’m sure you’re significant other is beyond happy you’re saving them that money. But if you already know a promise ring is a must, here are a couple guidelines to follow when committing to that next step.
Stay monogamous
So you’re not committed to getting married quite yet, but mentality you are fully into your relationship. If you get a promise ring, it’s pretty safe to say you shouldn’t be seeing anyone else. An innocent flirt here and there is cool, but if you’re seeing anyone else or sleeping around, that’s got to stop. And that should be a given, seriously.
Give and take
Just because you get a ring, doesn’t mean anyone owns you. A promise ring doesn’t mean you have to get all submissive because you don’t owe anything to your significant other. And if you feel pressure to do so, give back the ring because that is not what it’s meant to symbolize. However, if everything is one way or the highway, that may need to change.
Now that you know for sure that you want to commit to this relationship, you need to consider one and other’s feelings. I know I can be a princess, but as the relationship gets more serious, I try to compromise more so that we both give and take, and it’s not one sided. So never be submissive, until you’re into that whole 50 Shades of Grey stuff, but do learn to compromise for one another.
Plan ahead
Now that you’ve taken the next step in your relationship, it’s completely acceptable to talk about the future. At this point, the future is pretty realistic so have fun with it. Worry about the serious stuff when you’re actually engaged, and focus on the fun essentials. Maybe you’ll learn something new about each other and grow even closer.
Promise rings aren’t for everyone. I like taking things slow, and a promise ring reminds me that I’m in it for the long haul and I’m not wasting my time. You get reassurance that you’re with your forever person and you get to wear a shiny diamond ring at the same time. But if you’re not ready to take things to the next level, don’t feel the need to rush anything. Or maybe you’re the opposite, and you just want to jump into an engagement which is cool too. Every couple is different, so just do what fits you two best, Don’t feel the need to fit into any relationship mold or follow a timeline. Make your own happily ever after story and follow your path to happiness.
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Christina aspires to be a public relations professional in a big city after graduation from James Madison University. In her free time when she’s not blogging away about dating and relationships, Christina loves to go shopping, watch Netflix and play with every puppy that crosses her path.