Will you marry me?
The book “The Paper Bag Princess” by Bob Munsch is a children’s book about Princess Elizabeth who rescues her fiancé Prince Ronald from a dragon. Unlike most fairytales, however, this one does not end in a happy marriage, but with Elizabeth telling off Prince Ronald. “Ronald, you are a bum,” she said. And they didn’t get married, after all it reads.
In life, some may have to endure a situation like Ronald’s when their proposal is answered with a “no.” If that is the case, it may be necessary to return a diamond engagement ring.
When asked if many engagement rings are returned, an employee at SE Needham Jewelers said, “Not generally – hopefully they say yes. We hope that by the time he comes here, he already knows the answer.”
For those who do receive a negative answer to their proposal, Needham Jewelers has a 30-day return policy with no questions asked.
Even proposals that are answered with a “Yes!” do not always end in marriage. For many various reasons, engaged couples may find that it is necessary to break of the engagement.
For some students attending Utah State University, dealing with this emotional issue has become an unexpected part of their lives.
Nate Stevens, a junior majoring in accounting, agreed to give students at USU some advice based on his recent experience.
When breaking an engagement, Stevens said it’s important to have close friends and family because it is tough.
“Even though they don’t understand what you’re going through, [they’ll] give the support you need.” He also stressed that breaking an engagement is a private decision so “only share what you feel comfortable sharing.”
He said, “You might be worried that nobody will love you now, or at least not as much as [your fiancé] did.”
Stevens said not to worry, “There will be somebody out there. It just takes some time and patience.”
If a couple is debating about breaking off the engagement, Stevens said, “If you don’t see a future with them, don’t prolong [the decision], because the longer you wait, the harder it’s going to get.”
He also added that men may have a more difficult time breaking it off than women.
“It is harder for guys because the mother-in-law is planning the wedding.”
Stevens said that even though it is hard, a broken engagement is better than having a marriage end in divorce. “[Marriage] is an important decision. Just marry somebody you can be happy with for the rest of your life,” he said.
Broken engagements are not an issue found only in Utah.
The magazine “USABride” has a list of etiquette to follow when breaking an engagement:
First, to notify people of the broken engagement, a written note can be sent, but the reason does not need to be stated. If no invitations or announcements have been sent, people may be notified by word of mouth.
Second, it is proper to return all engagement gifts received.
Finally, giving back the ring must be decided upon an individual circumstance.
-eliseras.cc.usu.edu