Ben is getting engaged and wants to give his fiancé the family engagement ring, but his parents are insisting his older brother should get it because that’s the tradition. But his older brother is rich and has never had a serious girlfriend, so why should he deserve the family engagement ring?
Ayla Brown: Hey, good morning, Ben. Thank you so much for calling. We are going to help you out with a question about a ring. And I’m talking about a wedding ring. Correct? Or an engagement ring. What’s the story here?
Ben: It is. I’ve been in a committed relationship for about three and a half years and kind of struggling financially, but making it happen. I do want to marry her. The only thing is my older brother is single. You know, he’s never had a girlfriend. He’s doing great in New York City, living his life. And I’ve been saving for a ring. My parents are traditional and I have some problems about this. They say that the older brother gets grandma’s ring. Now, my grandmother left the ring in the family. It’s a beautiful ring. They don’t want to help me out here. And he doesn’t want to help me out. And it’s unfair. Like I said, he’s really rich. He doesn’t need the ring. But the parents want to argue and they say it’s got to be kept for the oldest son in the family because of traditionalism.
Ayla Brown: You know, I actually have heard that, Ben, a number of times. And speaking from personal experience, my husband proposed with a ring that was his grandmother’s as well. So I’m wearing his grandmother’s engagement ring. And in his family, I think I actually have to talk to my husband about it. But I think they had it reserved for the oldest son. And my husband is the oldest, so maybe it’s not that unusual, but I totally understand where you’re coming from because you’re like, listen, my brother is single. He’s living it up in New York. He is not even in a committed relationship. And here I am. I want to propose to my girlfriend of three and a half years and use the family ring. What’s the big deal? Right.
Ben: Exactly. Exactly. Like you said, I know for a fact he’s very single and very well to do financially. It’s not fair. It really is a beautiful ring. And I’m struggling here. I honestly don’t know what to do. I keep asking my parents and they’re stuck on the traditionalism part of it.
Ayla Brown: Oh, my gosh. My heart breaks for you. But what we do on this show and what I love about it is that no matter what, our audience is very honest and they will have some great advice. Ben wants to know, is there any way? Maybe you should steal the ring. I don’t know. Oh, there was a theft in the house and then it. I don’t know. Is there a suggestion you can give our friend Ben? Thank you, Ben, and good luck.
Ben: Thank you.
