She’s not feeling insecure.
via Facebook
One of the biggest marriage traditions in America is for a man to propose with a diamond ring. What most people don’t know is that it’s a relatively new tradition that started because of a very clever marketing strategy by the De Beers diamond company. Over the years, the diamond has become a status symbol based on its size, clarity, and cut – even though a diamond ring isn’t a great investment and they’re about about as rare as pigeons. So, when 27-year-old Rachel Pedersen recently spoke out about the joy of her “tiny diamond” the post struck a chord with people everywhere.
via Facebook
After Pedersen eloped with her husband Poul in October 2013, her friends and family kept asking when she was going to upgrade from her ¼ carat engagement ring. One went so far as to tell Pederson, “You could wear a bigger ring for important events, so people don’t think you’re not successful.” The petty comments became so grating Pedersen took to Facebook to share what her ring means to her – and it isn’t a status symbol.
Yes, I know that my wedding ring is small. Friends and family often ask me when I’m going to have it ‘upgraded’.... After all, it doesn’t represent the level of success we are achieving. I’ve even had one person say ‘you could wear a bigger ring for important events, so people don't think you're not successful.’ Wait a minute.... Since when did the size of someone's ring become an indication of success?! For me, the ring is SO much more.
My ring symbolizes a whirlwind, storybook, ‘make you sick’ love story.... It reminds me of how my husband and I met and fell at in love in one night at a Perkin’s diner. He worked as a window washer, and I was a single mother. One short week later, and we professed our love to one another, him leading the conversation. We couldn’t stop dreaming of our future, so excited to have a baby, buy a house, and fall asleep together every night. We couldn't wait for the future. So we didn’t.
13 days after meeting, we eloped. I didn't even THINK about a ring until my husband surprised me before the ceremony. He drained his savings to gift me with a small token of his love. I say small, only because it pales in comparison with how big his love is, even now, after years of marriage. That, my friends, is success to me.
Here are some of the great responses she’s received on Facebook.