Many people believe that promise rings are juvenile and childish. Why would two adults need to promise one another that they're going to get married? If they are adults, why don't they just go ahead and get married?

Stereotypically, promise rings are given between high school and college sweethearts and they (also stereotypically) break up soon after. There is also this misconception that promise rings are a step below engagement rings. They are not one in the same. An engagement ring is a precursor to marriage. A promise ring is a result of love and a desire to promise oneself to their partner.

A promise ring is not specifically a promise to get married. It can mean that as well, of course. But it means so much more than that too. It is a promise to love and support, to push through the hard times, to smile through the great times, to survive the sleepless nights and the tickle fights. It is a promise of love, not of matrimony.

As an adult with a promise ring, I can vouch for the authenticity of the love and resolve needed to gift a promise ring. Promise rings do not need to be gifted lightly. They're not about getting into someone's pants by promising them love, they shouldn't be used to "trap" another person, and they shouldn't be given out willy nilly to your partner of 2 months whom you barely know.

Also, against stereotypical "regulations," a promise ring only has one requirement.

What a promise ring does NOT have to be/be the result of:

- an engagement ring

- built/styled like an engagement ring

- overly expensive

- bought from a jewelry store.

- an accidental pregnancy

- a religious obligation

What a promise ring HAS to be:

- a promise to love and support that person as long as they wear that ring.

A promise ring is supposed to mean something more than infatuation or lust. A promise ring is supposed to be given out of love; a promise to that person to love them for as long as the fates will allow. Give them out sparingly and for the right reasons and they will mean so much more in the long run.