
The Ring
By Molly Brookins Livingstone
Posted: Wednesday, Sep. 16, 2009
Photo by Critsey Rowe
Molly Brookins Livingstone is an interior architect and newlywed. She can be reached at tupelo21@gmail.com.
Read more "Newly Wedded Bliss."
Getting engaged brings about a multitude of emotions for a girl. When your boyfriend pops the big question, you go through feelings you've never experienced before. From sheer elation where you seem to want to embrace complete strangers, to exasperated excitement that may bring about breathless, unplanned comments like, "FINALLY!" (Or was that just me?) Whatever the emotion, it's one that you never forget and lasts for weeks after the question, "Will you marry me?" has left his mouth. For me, I was literally on Cloud Nine for weeks. It was truly the best.
Aside from all the obvious feelings you're experiencing on that day since you're going to marry the love of your life and plan your future together, there is also one other little piece of excitement that every girl is thrilled over. The ring! Don't deny it, ladies. Although this is the symbol of your love and engagement to each another, it's also a gorgeous piece of hardware that you can't stop gazing at for weeks following the proposal. I'm sure I'm not the only one who stares at it while driving since it's on the steering wheel right in front of me. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who forgets to get off at her exit due to this staring contest. The ring is the symbol of marriage; it's the eternal circle that represents infinite love and commitment. I loved being engaged, but I was excited for the day when my husband would finally be able to wear his ring to represent the promise we made to each other. His ring is a classic, simple design, and one that he can truly wear at all times. And he does. He never takes it off, not when he showers, not when he is working out - never. I suppose I might do the same if I didn't occasionally scrape myself across my face with my ring while sleeping, or get it tangled in my hair in the shower. Sometimes I take it off for these purposes and maybe forget to put it back on. This forgetfulness happened last weekend, and I went a whole day without wearing my rings. "Where are your rings?" Marsh asked in a concerned tone, as if I had lost them. Looking at my hand, I said, "Oh. I forgot to put them on this morning. Whoops!" "What? How can you forget to put them on?" Apparently this notion had never occurred to him, probably because he literally never takes his off. "I don't know, I just did."He was quiet for a minute, thinking about how to word his next statement. "I feel like you're my mistress since I have a ring on and you don't."Although this comment was hilarious to me, it made me realize that it really did bother him that I wasn't wearing my rings. I took a second to put myself in his shoes. I'm sure if he forgot to wear his ring, it would bother me as well. And although I doubt anyone is paying attention to us that closely, I suppose if anyone did care to analyze our hands, it might come across that we were carrying on some sort of affair. But alas, it's really that his wife is just absent-minded. From now on, I make sure that I don't forget my rings, not only because it's important to him that I wear them, but because of what they really represent to both of us.
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