Dear Level

If Your Partner Says She Doesn’t Want to Get Married, She’s Lying

Just because she’s independent doesn’t mean she doesn’t want that ring

Update 6/7/22: Level has a new home. You can read this article and other new articles by visiting LEVELMAN.com.

Remember that Method Man lyric on “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By”? The line where he raps: “You don’t need a ring to be my wife.” Now, think about every other song lyric ever. Has a woman ever said something similar? I’ll wait here while you look — or until we both grow old and ultimately keel over—because good luck with that.

I know what you’re going to say: Me and my partner have been together for a year or so. She’s not tripping. Everything’s good. Or maybe you’ve been together forever, kids and all. And there are no rings or documentation to make it official and legally binding. You don’t need a piece of paper to show your love for your woman — or your children. Y’all are together because you want to be. Periodt.

And she’s fine with it. No, really! She’s not tripping. Her friends may talk crap, but your woman is confident. She told you herself, she doesn’t need a ring to be your wife.