A first-person YouTube talk ("Value Ring") in which the speaker, Nick Stumbo, recounts giving his daughter Whitney a "value ring" at age 16. He explains the ring is not a promise ring but a promise from parents: to convey unconditional worth and enduring love regardless of the daughter's future choices. Themes are family, parenting, and unconditional love.
So when our daughter was turning 16, I said to my wife, Tracy, you know, I'd like to take Whitney out on a special date. Said, whitney, I want to buy you a special ring. I said to her, whitney, this is a ring that is not a promise ring. This is not a ring that I'm giving to you. So you have to promise to me and your mother that you won't make any mistakes in the arena of your sexuality. It's not that we don't want you to navigate that part of your life in a healthy way. We do. I. I said, this is not a promise ring. This is a value ring. And this is not your promise to us. This is our promise to you. And as you see this ring, I want you, as I put it on her finger, to know that your value in your mom and I's eyes will never change, regardless of your behavior. Whether you make good decisions in life or you make some difficult decisions that are poor choices. Your worth and as our daughter will never change. And we will always love you, and our heart will always be for you, and you need to know it.
