Does a wedding ring mean anything?
I always thought a wedding ring was a symbol of love and commitment, you know the til death due us part stuff. When I was in the dating game, many years ago, I NEVER would have given a man with a wedding ring a second look. For me, a wedding ring meant a man was OFF limits!!
So now that I have been married for 9 years, I expect the same courtesy from a person who is on the prowl. Well, I don’t know what has changed over the years but my traditional ways of thinking are being challenged by some of these nontraditional guys.
Recently, I was sitting in a Barnes & Noble Starbucks Cafe where a young man and woman were chatting. As I overheard their conversation, sounds like they were getting to know each other for the possibility of future dates. At the end of their meeting, they exchanged phone numbers. Shortly, after he walked her out, he returned to my table.
Him: I was wondering what you are doing tonight?
Me: Going home to my husband and son.
Him: Oh, I see your wedding ring. (Pause). I was wondering, if we could go out on a date sometime?
Me: I have been MARRIED for 9 years and I got to 9 years by being faithful to my husband.
Him: I see. Do you have any friends that I could hook up with?
Me: Exactly, how old are you?
Him: 22
Me: Well, I am 10 years older than you. All of my friends are MARRIED or in relationships.
Him: I don’t believe you are that old.
Me: Believe it. (Now, I am really in awe that he is still standing at my table).
Him: No, are you serious?
Me: Yes. (Somewhat irritated, and a little nervous that my husband will appear and teach this young man a lesson on respecting the wedding ring).
Him: Okay, nice meeting you.
Me: Good bye. (Laughing under my breathe).
My girlfriend, who I was meeting, arrived a few minutes later and I told her about it. She was in disgust. I shared the story with my husband and father in law, and they agreed that times have changed and people disrespect what a wedding ring means.
I have had a couple of other similar episodes, while wearing my wedding ring, but this last one was too much!
(Don’t get me wrong, I did have a few laughs looking back on the events. Watching them pick their face off of the floor is priceless, now they know I don’t play that!)
So I ask you, do you think people no longer acknowledge that a wedding ring means OFF limits? If you are married, tell me do you wear your wedding ring? Why or why not? Let’s talk about it, leave your thoughts in a comment.
