As you know, I got engaged to my partner a few weeks ago! At the time, and especially as I was the one proposing, I really didn’t know what to do about a ring, or even I even wanted one.
Like a lot of this wedding stuff, spending a lot of money (£100s is cheap!) on a ring, that I also might loose, seems crazy.
I don’t wear jewellery daily, and if I do it’s a necklace! I haven’t worn rings in many years. I used to sometimes in my twenties, and I still have some funky ones (cheap stuff from Topshop or ASOS!), but I hardly ever kept them on all day.
I do have a cool one that’s a book that opens into a locket. I tried to wear it again last week and I made it to mid afternoon at work before it was bugging me and in my pocket.
This is to say, I don’t wear rings so the idea of suddenly having an expensive one to wear with a big stone sticking up out of it seemed silly.
Plus that kind of traditional jewellery just isn’t my style. I like things that look clean and simple, and generally not sparkly. I’ve looked at a lot of rings online over the last month and I just don’t like most engagement rings. The only traditional ones I did like are in the simple art deco styles. Those seem to be difficult to find affordably IRL in a shop, and not a purchase I’d want to make unseen over the internet. Especially with what a scammy mess the internet is these days!
However, I do like the idea of something a little more permanent than GU pot foil lids to commemorate the next step we’ve taken. So I gave up on the flashy stones and looked at cheaper simple rings with birthstones or pretty engravings that I liked. I found some cool ones with celestial or star patterns on Etsy, but nothing that felt right for the occasion.
Make it so
My fiancé also had a look for something that might suit me better, and as a laugh – after a host of Lord of The Rings rings! – showed me some Star Trek rings. Honestly most of them are tacky and kind of hideous to my eyes (you can get a star ship Enterprise ring, kind of fun but not practical.. and most of the sites I saw them on seemed suss!) but there was one ring (like this on Etsy) with “engage” or “make it so” engraved on the inside band that set off a light bulb for me!
At first I just thought it was funny but the idea stuck in my head, and I realised it was perfect!
We’ve spent many wonderful evenings on the sofa rewatching Star Trek: The Next Generation, it was so much fun to watch together. He got us both fleecy TNG style pajamas (he wears them a lot!). And it was also my comfort show when my Grandma died, I just wanted to cuddle in bed together with TNG on. That was one of those times I was incredibly grateful to have him in my life.
The word “Engage” fits for me on many levels. It’s got a sentimental meaning for us as a couple but is also a cheeky, subtle little reference for people who would get it, while not being completely weird for those that don’t understand it!
We will be engaging in a new chapter of our life together. To boldly go, and all that.
And so, I decided to get a simple dainty little silver band with the word stamped on the outer band and the date of the proposal on the inside.
I am so happy with it. I like the wonky type that gives it a bit more personality too!
I’ve been wearing it for about a day and it’s taking some getting used to. I’ve already left it at the kitchen sink after washing up! I’m a bit worried I’ll lose it.. but that’s also why I only wanted to spend £60!
I guess it’ll be training for wearing a wedding band. Which, by the way, we went to look at briefly last weekend (so we could get our fingers sized!) and holy shit apparently those come with a bewildering array of decisions in what metal, price, shape and fit! And do we want them to match or not? Fiancé is taken with the idea of Tungsten currently but I’m not completely convinced.
Anyway, that’s future problems, for today I just love my engagement ring and also now have an excuse to send Picard GIFs to people to explain the reference!
