This conversation takes place when I’m at the age where jewellery starts becoming a part of my life. My mom promised me anything I wanted from her collection as a gift. She’s taken all her jewellery out and is showing me the pieces, one by one.
We’ve gone through a truly surprising number of pieces, including a ring engraved with my name that I am eyeing. But then she pulls out one last ring, and it stands out because of how old it looks.
Mom: “And this horridly outdated piece is our family engagement ring. It’s been passed down from mother to daughter since before World War Two. I got it off Grandma back when she thought she was going to die any day.”
Me: “Wait, what? But Grandma’s so healthy.”
Mom: “Turned out to be a false alarm, but she gave me all her jewels back then. She really regrets that now.”
Me: “Wait, it’s an engagement ring. How is it that mothers give it to daughters? I thought engagement rings were given by the guy?”
Mom: “Normally, it’s given from mother to daughter-in-law. Well, more accurately, the son will ask his mother’s permission to marry, and his mother will give him the ring to propose with. But as things happen, Grandma doesn’t actually like [Aunt #1], [Aunt #3], and [Aunt #4].”
Me: “What? But they’re all so nice.”
Mom: “Well, Grandma was supposed to give it to [Uncle #1], but she didn’t like [Aunt #1]. She thought she was a gold digger, so my older brother didn’t get the ring. Not that it stopped him.”
Me: “Ridiculous. [Aunt #1] is my nicest aunt.”
Mom: “My mom had this silly belief that brides shouldn’t be older than their groom, and [Aunt #1] is older than [Uncle #1].”
I shake my head in disbelief.
Me: “Then what happened with [Aunt #3]?”
Mom: “Back then, Grandma didn’t actually think architects were a real job. So she was really annoyed that [Uncle #2] became an architect. So when my younger brother married [Aunt #3], who was another architect… Well, there’s a reason they live in another country.”
Me: “I get the point.”
Mom: “And I trust we don’t have to discuss [Aunt #4]?”
Me: “Nope. I already know what Grandma thinks of [Aunt #2] marrying [Aunt #4].”
My mother’s older sister had to go overseas to do it, as Singaporean law forbade — and still forbids — same-sex marriage. Grandma still insists that the marriage is invalid.
Me: “So, because she never gave it away, you got it when she gave you all her jewels.”
Mom: “That, and I’m her only child that had a ‘respectable’ marriage.”
I snort.
Mom: “Anyway. That’s the last piece in my collection. Want the engagement ring?”
Me: “No, thanks. Maybe in the future. For now, the ring I want literally has my name on it.”
That conversation was nearly a decade ago. Now, I have that ancient engagement ring in hand and am about to go out for dinner with my girlfriend. Wish me luck.