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Picture my surprise: an otherwise quiet evening at home made magical with flickering candles, scattered rose petals, and my boyfriend Tom down on one knee.
The proposal was intimate and perfect — but unlike the proposal, the ring wasn't a surprise.
It was exactly the ring I had always wanted: an oval solitaire diamond in yellow gold with four prongs, designed by me. And it was (and still is) flawless.
I love my engagement ring. It's elegant, timeless and precisely what I envisioned. But it wasn't just luck; it was a decision I made.
I refused to let my boyfriend surprise me with an engagement ring, and you should do the same.
Watch MM Confessions: What my partner doesn't know. Post continues below.
Some women don't mind what their engagement ring looks like, and I support that, of course. But I do mind, and you might too.
When Tom and I began talking about getting engaged, I knew exactly what I wanted my ring to look like. Having worked in the jewellery industry for years, I had spent countless hours designing and examining rings, understanding the nuances of design and gemstone choices. An engagement ring isn't just any piece of jewellery; it's the most important one I will ever wear.