While growing up, many girls dream of falling in love with the perfect man who sweeps them off their feet, get down on one knee and propose with a nice-sized, high-carat diamond ring in a fairy tale-type setting.

Then as we got older we realized fairy tale stories are untrue and men and women are far from perfect.

I remember watching an episode of "Love and Hip Hop" on VH1. In the episode, Chrissy, rapper Jim Jones' girlfriend of 6 years, decided to get down on one knee and propose to her longtime boyfriend.

She said it was something they have always talked about and since he hadn't proposed yet she figured what were they waiting for and cut to the chase.

After Chrissy got down on her knee and asked the rapper to marry her, his response was "I'm with you" and accepted the ring.

I'm not too sure what "I'm with you" means after a proposal, but the couple is now engaged. However, the rapper expressed afterward to his fiancee that she does not need to start wedding planning any time soon.

So what was the point?

Many women today have chosen to be the one who gets down on one knee and ask "Will you marry me?"

I often wonder how it works for women who propose to their significant other.

Do they approach their partner's mother or both parents for approval? Does she also wear an engagement ring? If so, does she buy it herself since her fiancee did not propose?

I was raised to believe in the tradition that it was a man's responsibility to propose after receiving approval from my father — a tradition he should be honored to continue.

Call me old fashioned, but I stand by it to this day.

Yes, gender roles have and will continue to be redefined throughout history. Yes, women fight wars and have gone into to space.

But when it comes to asking for my hand in marriage, I still stand by tradition. It is his responsibility.

There are plenty of women who are and who have been in long term relationships for multiple years patiently, and I'm sure in some cases impatiently waiting and tapping their fingers waiting for a ring and their significant other to step up to the plate.

If a woman wants to step up to the plate and take charge, there is no love lost here. If that's what you want, go for it, but it is something I will not do in my relationship.

At the end of the day, if he hasn't asked either of your parents for your hand in marriage, picked out a ring at the local jewelry store or ultimately has yet to ask you, there is a reason why, as Beyonce would say, he hasn't "put a ring on it.