[SoloAJ]

TBD,

I am appreciative of your post as I wasn't entirely sure about all of the things you mentioned. It turns out I was right about them, but was really quite unsure.

I am still unsure as to how I feel about the whole "expensive ring" aspect of it. I get the feeling that the type of woman I'll someday marry won't view an expensive ring as a necessity. Nor will she be truly saddened if I didn't get her one (whether being open or hidden about that).

That, of course, doesn't mean that I won't be getting a fancy ring. Shrug. I have more important issues to worry about concerning marriage than the ring. I figure if I can hurdle all of the other obstacles--like finding a woman--then the ring problem will solve itself.