I'm not against Pinterest at all. Keep that in mind. I have a wedding board FULL of wedding ideas and dresses and a whole board devoted to Bling! But, I feel like maybe social media, Pinterest especially, gives girls unrealistic expectations of proposals, weddings, engagements and relationships.
I once had a "perfect" proposal. A dream, Tacori-inspired wedding ring. A big church wedding with a huge, poofy dress. But, not a dream relationship, by any stretch of the imagination. With all of the fun I have pinning expensive diamond rings, and designer dresses and watching Say Yes to the Dress, I realize that perfection can be illusion.
I love watching proposal videos on YouTube and Facebook and Pinterest. They always make me cry. But a lack of a "perfect" proposal doesn't mean a relationship is doomed. I love pinning over-the-top diamond rings, and believe me, I would NEVER turn one down. But, a $10,000 engagement ring is not necessarily a sign of true love.
What I'm saying to young women who are inundated with ideas for dresses and rings and proposals, oh my! is this: don't overlook Mr. Right, because he comes in a form you didn't expect.
It's possible that your perfect proposal could happen one night, late in bed. You are sobbing uncontrollably about something, who knows what. You're a girl; you're emotional. And in that moment, that sweet man lying there, holding you, decides, "Oh yes, I want to spend the rest of my life with this insane, crying woman." And he proposes right then and there. And you cry harder, because it's so silly and insane and so IMperfect and perfect at the same time.
Your Mr. Right could be a good, kind man who works as hard as he possibly can to help you make a home, but can't afford to go thousands of dollars in debt for a huge diamond, so he gives you a simple, pretty diamond wedding band. And you accept it with all your heart, because of the love behind it.
It could be that the perfect wedding, is not a grand, $30,000 affair, but a backyard bash with 20 of your closest friends and family gathered around you. Your wedding cake comes from the grocery store and your decorations are inspired from your wedding Pinterest board (cuz it wouldn't be complete if you didn't make amazing, Pinterest-worthy centerpieces). Your wedding dress came not from Bridals by Lori, but David's Bridal sale rack. Your photographer is an insanely talented friend. You feel more love than you've ever felt in your life, because your friends donated decorations, food and talent to your big day and your family travelled from all over the US to be there.
Don't mistake the trappings of a wedding and wedding preparation for a good relationship. A wedding lasts a few hours, your marriage should last a lifetime.
The Perfect Proposal just may not be what you expected. Perfect may involve YouTube and violins and a 3 karat Tiffany diamond, but don't think that if that doesn't happen, it's not perfect.
The Perfect Proposal depends on your perspective. And if you marry your best friend, then I can assure you, it's perfect.
