Boyfriend moving away commitment issue?

Ive been dating this guy for 1 1/2 yrs and we have a pretty good relationship. We have not had any complications so far till he found out hes going away for internship for a year. He said he wants to have a long distance rel and then come back and get married. my problem is that i feel very insecure about long distance and bec of that I've been fighting with him. After our first fight he suggested we get some help books or go for couple counseling (we are doing the books which he is more particular about). Then after our second fight he said he was going to give me a ring on my birthday to show that hes committed. I waited and on my birthday I got a $16 sterling silver ring with no comments (he just gave me the ring). It pissed me off not because Im being materialistic but bec he can afford to give me something a little better and yet I feel like it wasnt imp to him. He shed tears and I did too after both fights but is something wrong with him. Is he not serious enough??