In November 2016, Ariel Desiree McRae’s post on Facebook went viral. She was defending her $130 engagement ring after a jewelry store employee made a negative comment about it. The post has been shared over 100,000 times.
According to Today.com, Ariel said, “My husband doesn’t have a lot, neither of us do,” the 22-year-old, who is in school to become a teacher, wrote in the post. “We scrape and scrape to pay bills and put food in our bellies, but after almost 2 years of dating we decided that we couldn’t wait anymore, so we didn’t.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1493816687314588&set=a.259182397444696.79056.100000588123944&type=3&theater
Together they picked out rings from Pandora Jewelry that were $130. She explained that her husband thought she would be upset he couldn’t afford an expensive piece of jewelry, but she didn’t care. They got married in a court-house and used the $130 ring set and she is as happy as ever.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1487338161295774&set=a.259182397444696.79056.100000588123944&type=3&theater
Ariel wrote that while in the store, the sales clerk said, “Y’all can you believe that some men get these as engagement rings? How pathetic.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1487338347962422&set=a.259182397444696.79056.100000588123944&type=3&theater
Ariel said she watched her husband’s face when the salesperson spoke and knew he was upset by the comment. She went on to write that it doesn’t matter how much the ring was or how flashy it was, it is their love for each other that truly matters.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1599550580074531&set=a.150755221620748.26026.100000588123944&type=3&theater
She also said she would have still married him if he gave her a 25 cent engagement ring from a bubblegum machine and that an expensive piece of jewelry shouldn’t prove your love to each other. “Why do material possessions equal love?” she asks.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1487339081295682&set=a.259182397444696.79056.100000588123944&type=3&theater
Ariel finished her post by saying, “People shouldn’t have to go into debt for love. It’s the love that’s important. You can get married without rings. It’s just material.” What a sweet story!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1517973574898899&set=a.259182397444696.79056.100000588123944&type=3&theater
What do you think about engagement rings and their prices? Did you love this story? If you enjoyed this article, share with a friend!
THE SIZE OF A RING AND THE COST DOES NOT MATTER IT IS THE SIZE OF THE LOVE THAT MATTERS. A FRIEND OF MINE WAS ENGAGED AND MARRIED HER HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART. HER DIAMOND WAS SMALL BUT SHE LOVED IT. HE PROMISED THAT HE WOULD BUY HER A BIGGER ONE SOME DAY. WELL THE DAY CAME AND THEY WENT SHOPPING FOR THE RING. SHE PICKED OUT A NEW SETTING FOR HER ENGAGEMENT RING AND WHEN IT CAME TIME FOR A LARGER DIAMOND SHE COULD NOT DO IT. SHE COULD NOT PART WITH HER ORIGINAL SMALL BUT BRIGHT DIAMOND .SHE HAD HER OLD DIAMOND PUT INTO THE NEW SETTING WHICH WAS EXACTLY LIKE THE OLD ONE. THE OLD SETTING HAD WARN OUT BECAUSE SHE NEVER TOOK IT OFF. SHE STILL WEAR IT EVERY DAY.
I have never had an engagement ring given to me. Both my husbands and I got matching bands because with my jobs as typing for a living, an engagement ring just wouldn’t work…I am 28 years into my 2nd marriage with my one true love with a wedding band that was purchased in New Mexico at a souvenir shop.. It’s exactly what was needed at the time and still on my finger……Didn’t cost an arm and a leg either.
We also didn’t get an expensive engagement ring. If the sales clerk had said anything like that, we would have gone to another store. Oh, that was 34 years ago and our marriage is still going strong.
If I’m the one who’s been told “Pathetic” because of my personal choice, I will make sure that the sales clerk will not have a job the following day. It is very offensive to the customers she is serving and she is NOT proud of the Products she was selling.
To the Couple: I am very Proud of you two. Your love to each other are Priceless. More Power to you both.
I bought both our rings for $50. at the Base Exchange in Great Lakes. Almost 47 years later, we are still together. Have I bought other rings and things? Oh yeah, she is quite set in Jewelry. The bottom line? Still in love and retired with our own rather nice home, and needing for nothing. You go guys, enjoy and work on your lives. Wish you all the love and luck for your next 50 years.
Mine was only 40 dollars
I have an engagement ring that cost only $119 and I couldn’t be happier I love it and it is better than most of the expensive jewelry I have seen around. Good for you, your love is what is important.
My hands work hard and I have literally worn out the little engagement/wedding set my husband bought me for $100. Now that we have a bit more money, he’s offered to buy me a new set, but I just can’t do it. I wear mine on special occasions on a chain around my neck. It’s dented and squished, a couple of the little stones are gone–but the love of my life gave it to me and it’s the most precious thing I own.
My diamond ring is a chip you can just about see and we’ve been married for 45yrs.
You beautiful, beautiful woman. I’m SO very happy for you and your dude. That ring is FIERCE <3
My engagement ring was cheap, and I loved it. My wedding ring was even cheaper, and I *adored* it! I am a rockhound and I love anything made with rocks, so we chose hematite rings for our wedding rings. Know how much they cost each? $2. Seriously. They are black, and they were fragile. We chose those on purpose, because a relationship has to be taken care of, just like the rings. Every once in a while a ring would break, but we each had extras. You couldn’t just put on your own ring — the other had to put it on you and say “With this ring, I thee wed.” I only broke 3 in 18 years. Then 3 years ago we went to Hawaii and saw some Koa rings we fell in love with and decided to change rings. I really miss our hematite rings, though. Black wedding rings are pretty unique, and I love that we had to take care of them, which made us take care of each other, too.
My husband and I got married at the courthouse on our lunch hours. I chose to have no engagement ring and we had very inexpensive 10K gold wedding bands. He said the same ” Are you sure you are ok with this?” I told him I’m marrying you not a ring. 20 years later we bought a nicer, yet still not overly expensive ring set (under 800) for our anniversary. I love this man more than any jewelry out there. Never did take a honeymoon either, we’re thinking maybe on our 30th anniversary lol Kudos to you for loving the man not the money.
Married 42 years with no engagement ring. IT’S A ROCK, it’s a pretty rock ,but just a rock all the same.
I would have left the store with no purchase and given my custom to a more deserving store that is not judgmental.
You are a smart and beautiful woman, and that is a pretty ring. Guess we know who WONT be getting married, the one only interested in the money and what a man can give her. You will be happier with what you build together. My engagement ring was $55 and my wedding ring $130 and I ADORE them both. A good husband is better than an expensive ring any day!! May God bless your marriage and your lives together. Much respect.
Lots of people in show business have mega rings and don’t stay together even one year. Some have and ordinary plain ring with no stone. Once they have been married a number or years and have improved finances they can buy anniversary rings. The main thing is to have unity of heart with God in the center to bind them together not jewelry.
I think expensive engagement and wedding rings are such a waste of money. Young people starting out in life could use that money for much more important things.