I believe that timing is everything. My girlfriend proposed to me on July 11, 2016. And just a day later, my friend posted a pic of herself wearing the most glorious little pinky ring. I asked her about it and she sent me a link. I thought I was about to buy a ring. I had no idea I was about to make an incredibly profound and timely commitment. When I said yes to my girlfriend, I committed to love her and respect her and be kind to her and take care of her and be faithful to her from now until forever. It’s an incredible and terrifying proposition. I do love her and I want to love her for the rest of my life. I also love me and have both the right and the responsibility to love and take care of myself, to never lose myself till death do I part. Because I have a seventeen-year-old daughter, exemplifying these dual commitments is paramount. So the very day after I committed to my girlfriend – now fiancé! – I also committed to myself with the pinky promise ring. To make things even more special, when I told my dad about the ring, he insisted on making it his birthday gift to me, saying, “Can’t think of a better way to celebrate your birthday. Three generations honoring the commitment to love and honor self in the same way we love and honor other.” Jenny Block, www.thejennyblock.com (photo cred: Steph Grant www.stephgrantphotography.com)