Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

There’s something undeniably magical about a marriage proposal. Whether it’s a dramatic public spectacle or an intimate moment between two people, it’s a gesture rooted in love, hope, and the promise of a future together. And for many, the engagement ring is a symbol of that future—something they’ll wear every single day of their lives.

That’s why when one woman turned to the internet to vent about the ring her fiancé gave her—a family heirloom she couldn’t stand—it sparked an intense debate.


The ring, affectionately dubbed the “Granny Ring” by the internet, once belonged to her fiancé’s grandmother. While heirlooms can be deeply meaningful, this one, well… was a tough sell.

"It looks like something you'd find in a museum commemorating those who drowned on the Titanic."

— Anonymous Reddit user

The woman admitted she tried to like the ring. She knew how much it meant to her fiancé, and she understood the layers of family history wrapped up in the gold and gemstones. But at the end of the day, it just didn’t feel right on her hand—and certainly not like something she wanted to wear for the rest of her life.

"Try as she might to like the ring, the bride-to-be didn’t love it."

— Anonymous Reddit user

She chose to post anonymously online, possibly because talking to her fiancé or anyone in his family felt impossible. Understandably so. In close-knit families, a conversation like that could spiral into drama or hurt feelings quickly. Still, the post went viral, and her fiancé might stumble across it anyway.

The internet reacts

The internet, as always, was quick to take sides. Some users saw her as ungrateful and shallow—unable to see past the aesthetics of a deeply personal gift. Others empathized with her dilemma, suggesting that honesty in a relationship is more important than pretending to love something that makes you uncomfortable.

trending.upworthy.com

One commenter put it bluntly: “If my partner gave me something I hated and expected me to wear it every day, I’d want them to know. It’s not about vanity, it’s about feeling seen.”

trending.upworthy.com

Others argued that a quiet conversation with her fiancé would’ve been better than airing the issue online. But again, it’s not always easy to navigate tricky emotional waters—especially when family and tradition are involved.

"People have personal styles to consider."

— Anonymous Reddit user

A not-so-happy beginning with a maybe-happy ending

In follow-up comments, some Reddit users claimed the couple eventually had a heart-to-heart and resolved the issue, perhaps finding a way to honor the grandmother's memory without sacrificing the bride-to-be’s comfort. That kind of compromise is the heartbeat of a healthy relationship—and maybe even a stronger foundation than the perfect diamond.

What’s clear is this: the story struck a nerve. It raised questions about tradition, taste, honesty, and the emotional weight we place on material objects. And maybe that's the bigger takeaway.

We all want to feel loved, understood, and accepted—especially by the person we’re planning to spend forever with. Whether that comes in the form of a family heirloom or a custom ring that reflects your style is a deeply personal decision. But being able to talk openly about those feelings? That’s priceless.

Would you wear a ring you hated?

Should sentiment always trump style when it comes to engagement rings? Or is it fair to want something that fits your own personal taste? Let us know—and if you’ve ever received a ring that didn’t quite hit the mark, we’re all ears.

More For You

A man handing over a tip.

Representative Image: Tipping used to more commonly known as a gratuity because that's what it meant.

Customer fights back after restaurant refuses to serve free tap water

Some restaurants have adopted automated payment systems that include mandatory gratuities, sparking debates about tipping culture. While many argue that tipping provides essential income for service workers, others believe restaurants should pay fair wages instead. A Reddit user, u/ilikesnark, recently shared a frustrating dining experience that reignited the discussion—this time over a restaurant's refusal to serve tap water.

In their post, titled "Waitress refused to give me water so I removed the 15% auto gratuity," the Redditor described the awkward situation. They had gone out to eat alone and noticed the restaurant’s policy of automatically adding a 15% tip to every bill. While ordering, they requested a glass of tap water, but the waitress instead brought a bottle of water. When the customer asked again for tap water, the waitress insisted they didn’t have any.

Keep ReadingShow less
Many hands stacked atop each other.

Representative Image: Most companies can endure the loss of an employee, but 10?

10 employees asked for a fair raise, when HR refused they had the perfect response

When employees give their best to a company, they expect fair compensation and respect in return. But when a group of ten workers was denied a raise and the basic amenities they needed, they decided to take a stand. Their story, shared by u/UnoriginallyGeneric on Reddit, highlights the power of collective action—and how standing up for your worth can lead to something better.

"Unlike many industries, we never shuttered during COVID."

— @UnoriginallyGeneric

During the pandemic, while many industries shut down, this workplace remained operational. The employee explained how they and their team worked tirelessly to keep things running smoothly, ensuring that no one caught COVID by being diligent with safety protocols.

Keep ReadingShow less
wedding, wedding surprise, wedding speech

Bride surprises husband with student messages at wedding reception.

Euphoria Films/Instagram

Bride surprises groom with sweet recorded messages from his students at their wedding reception

Wedding reception speeches are always tearjerkers. And for Australian newlyweds Ryan and Chelsea Cox, their reception speech had the entire wedding crying. In a touching Instagram video shared by Euphoria Films, bride Chelsea surprises her new groom Ryan with a heartwarming surprise from his students.

"You are exactly in the career you're meant to be. Making a real difference. You should be so proud of the love, the care and support you bring to their lives," Chelsea says in the beginning of the speech. "I know how much you wanted them here today, so I'm just sharing a little love from your Class 5 Red."

Keep ReadingShow less
Productive, productivity, mental health
woman sitting beside a bed while using a laptop
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

22 things highly productive people never do for the sake of their sanity

Productive people have one thing in common: they've found the keys to defeat distraction and procrastination. They excel at focusing and getting through to-do lists–which clearly takes some mental aptitude and strength. Good mental health translates to better productivity, so Reddit user Moist_Apartment5474 polled productive people in r/Productivitycafe by posing the question, "For your mental health what is something or things you avoid?"

Whether you're trying to implement a new habit, break old ones, or finally stick to your New Year's resolution–we can all take some mental health pointers from productive people. They shared a bevy of people, places and things that they have removed or cut from their lives to improve their mental health.

Keep ReadingShow less
Images from a baby name reveal.

The moment this mom realized her daughter's name had a hidden Batman connection.

They picked the perfect baby name—until a movie changed everything

When it comes to baby names, parents pull inspiration from all sorts of places—family history, beloved books, even favorite meals. But sometimes, a name carries a hidden meaning that only one parent is in on. That’s exactly what happened to TikTok user @viashoe, whose daughter's name has a secret connection to Batman that she didn’t discover until well after the birth.

A casual Thanksgiving reveal

In a now-viral TikTok, @viashoe shared the moment the puzzle pieces fell into place. While spending Thanksgiving with her husband’s family, they decided to watch Batman: The Animated Series—a classic from the '90s that's known for its dark tone and emotionally complex characters. As the show played in the background, someone in the family was entertaining their baby girl when a familiar voice on the screen said, “My wife, Nora…”

Keep ReadingShow less