A promise isn\u2019t something to be given idly. It should mean something, as the person you\u2019re making it to is meant to assume in good faith that you\u2019re going to keep to it. This is especially true if the person you make the promise to is the one you love more than anyone else. Some people choose to symbolize these types of promises by giving that special someone a promise ring. But what is a promise ring exactly? You\u2019ve probably heard of them, but do you really know exactly what they are?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s OK if you don\u2019t. That\u2019s why we\u2019re here! So let\u2019s clear up the confusion and dig into what these rings are really meant to symbolize.<\/p>\n
What Is a Promise Ring?<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you know why there\u2019s often confusion about promise rings? It\u2019s because, as with most things in relationships, what exactly a promise ring means differs somewhat from couple to couple. Although it\u2019s nice to have one short, simple definition that applies to all promise rings \u2013 and we\u2019ll get to that in a second \u2013 you should keep in mind that promise ring meanings can vary between couples, so don\u2019t assume too much unless a couple has shared the details of their promise ring with you.<\/p>\n In fact, part of the promise ring\u2019s appeal is its varying symbology. But here\u2019s the quick and dirty definition: a promise ring is a ring symbolizing a pre-marital commitment two people have made to each other. For some couples, the promise ring is a promise to, well,\u00a0make a promise<\/em>. In other words, it\u2019s a pre-engagement engagement ring, symbolizing that while the couple isn\u2019t engaged yet, they plan to eventually get engaged. For other couples, the ring is less symbolic of such a long-term, permanent commitment. Instead, it can simply mean that as long as they\u2019re together they are devoted to each other.<\/p>\n Sure, any couple in a long-term, serious relationship is clearly committed to each other and in love with one another. And while it\u2019s certainly not necessary to put that commitment on display in ring form, it\u2019s perfectly normal for couples to do so if that\u2019s what makes them happy. You\u2019re making a promise to each other, often that an engagement is around the corner. Again, it doesn\u2019t have to go that far, but it always shows that there is more to a relationship than just \u201cdating\u201d for fun.<\/p>\n In 2017, many couples \u2013 particularly Millennial couples \u2013 are getting married later in life and\/or living together for years before choosing to tie the knot or even get engaged. Wearing a promise ring shows that while the relationship hasn\u2019t moved to that step of ever-lasting love just yet, it is beyond a stage of simply seeing each other or even just living under the same roof to split bills.<\/p>\n How Should a Promise Ring Be Presented?<\/strong><\/p>\n Therefore, promise rings should not be given until a couple has been together for a significant amount of time. Usually, couples who go the promise ring route have dated for, at a minimum, a year. But no one has to bend a knee and make a formal proposal when giving one of these rings. Instead, they can just be given as gifts for holidays, birthdays or anniversaries. That being said, the ring shouldn\u2019t be presented with no context either. It\u2019s usually best done over a nice dinner and around a conversation about how serious the two people are about each other so that they both understand what\u2019s being given and promised.<\/p>\n