My fiancee and I had been together for a year when I asked him why he had not proposed. His reply was that, "Weddings are too expensive for just one day". Ahh, true love. Because neither of us came from money, we did not have to worry about the whole thing getting out of hand.
He finally did propose, and the first thing I looked at were rings. I am a simple, rural girl from a rural Nebraska town, so I suggested a cubic zirconium ring set for the engagement and wedding. My ring cost just $35.00, including the cost of shipping. I told him that we could worry about a "real" ring several years down the road as an anniversary present. I get many compliments on my ring, and many people ask if it is real. I tell them the truth, that no it is not real.
Maybe someday, when he and I are out of our 20's the perfect diamond ring set will come along. But until then, I am happy with the ring I have, as is he, and the fact that it is a great example of how I did not have to "spend so much money for just one day" makes our engagement and wedding planning that much simpler!
By Jenni from Lincoln, NE
