u/always_once_

He created a group chat with the friend group (essentially me and my partner and my best friend and her partner).

He announced he was going to propose and stated asking us for ideas.

He bought the ring. It’s big and gaudy. Has a skull on each side and suddenly, we’re not as excited.

None of us want to tell him anything. It’s his proposal.

But…

His girlfriend doesn’t wear jewelry. The ring doesn’t scream her name. And I’ve seen her admiring and complimenting the more simpler designs whenever we go out to the mall and has said she loves the simple, elegant rings me and my best friend wear.

It seems more like what he likes projected onto her.

It’s their proposal and we’re gonna bite our tongue. I hope she likes it. I really do. I want her to be excited. She’s waited a while to be engaged. She wants to be married. And we’re going to support the entire journey.

It’s terrible we all don’t like the ring. He’s so excited. And genuinely, we’ve all collectively agreed not to say anything because we want them to bask in the joy of getting engaged.

Edit: Thanks guys for all the feedback. All insight is appreciated and welcomed.

On a quick note, please know you guys have contributed to me and my best friend just ripping the bandaid off and telling our friend the ring is ugly. So far he’s waiting for the ring to come in so we’re going to ask him to sit down with us and have the difficult conversation about whether or not he actually wants to be married and why the ring is not a good fit.

It’s been only like two weeks at most since we found out he wants to propose. We also don’t like or agree with how he’s been treating her from what she’s told us. My best friend is also the one who’s been biting her tongue as she can’t stand lazy men who don’t bring good to their partners so there’s a plan we’re working on.

Please know we’re not excusing his behavior 😓 I just wish I could write everything out.