It's been two years for me and I have never felt any urge to remove my wedding band. It makes me feel safe to see and feel it on my finger. My husband's fingers got so swollen from all the cortison that his band had to be removed, but it's too big for me to wear, so I keep it in a little box.

I am at 16 months today and my feelings remain unchanges -- I will never take my wedding band off -- I remain married to my husband for "eternity". His remained with him and mine will remain with me as I have instructed the children. Just my feelings. I have tried to keep my response as short as possible. Everyone has their own belief in this regard. Jude

I took it in stages. At about two months, I had a 'family ring' made with all our birthstones. Once I had that, then I moved my anniversary rings to my right hand and took off my wedding ring and replaced it with the family ring.

For a time I wore my wedding ring on a chain inside one of Cliff's wedding rings - his hands were so big mine fit inside of his. We each had 2 wedding rings as we had separated at one point and when we reconciled we renewed our vows and exchanged rings again. Cliff's first ring is buried with him - it wouldn't come off. So I have my 2 wedding rings and one of his, along with my 2 diamond anniversary bands for my two sons if they ever marry.

As you know, I am now remarried so have a different set on my left hand, but I still sometimes wear the family ring on my right hand.

Like so many others, I tried different things to find what made me comfortable, and that varied over time. Hope this helps...

Love and Hugs, Martha

I wore mine for exactly one year. Just felt right to remove it at that time. I actually had a lot of people notice it and say how's your wife, etc. Just too hard to explain sometimes.

I wear my beloved Pat's ring on my wedding finger, then mine, then a little gold band to keep them all on my finger, it works for me, I have no reason to change it. The necklace idea is lovely but I tend to pull my seat belt and pull a necklace as well. Hugs, Wendy

I am almost at the nine month mark and at this point have not even had a single thought about choosing not to wear my ring - as in my heart I still feel very married. The crazy thing is that prior to my husband's death - there were many times when I didn't wear my rings as I suffer from an illness that requires that I need steroids at times and my hands can often be puffy. In the days after my husband's death a dear friend noticed that I didn't have my rings on and she asked why. Crazy that during the stay at hospice etc she hadn't noticed their absence. So now I alternate wearing my ring - or my husbands depending on what fits best for the moment. i tend not to wear my engagement ring - but am never without a wedding band. For me it just feels right. If there comes a time when it doesn't I will reconsider. As many have said it is a personal thing and I believe we should do what ever feels right.

Debbie

It is almost a year mark for me. I didn't and don't plan on taking mine off. I put it on another finger so that our love will always be 'at hand'. If that makes sense to anyone/

I read something on this topic today on line. The article says we widows should remove our rings so that we can attract a man. I was shocked. This is 2010. We do not need to attract men. We need peace from the people that write crap like this.

Maggie

Maggie, I totally agree with you! Who on earth would write that???? laurabp

I wore my for a 1 1/2 yrs. The day my son and future daughter-in-law went for their weddings bands they asked me to go with them. I did I asked my son would he like to wear his fathers band, and Missy have mine, they both said yes, we all shed a tear and I told them to carry our love with them forever.

Laura,

It was about 7 1/2 months for me....I'd lost quite a bit of weight so my ring spun around on my finger....but I hadn't lost enough to wear it on my right hand. I searched until I found something I'd like because I couldn't bear to look at the "permanent" indentation from 30 years of wearing my ring. The day the new amethyst arrived I loved it and I've worn it ever since. Wednesday is my one year mark.....I am keeping my ring as it is for my son (he actually picked it out when he was three years old when we upgraded my original rings).

When it is the right time for you, you will know it. There is nothing typical about this journey.....if it brings you peace to continue to wear them...wear them. Phooey on anyone who thinks you shouldn't.

Blessings,
Karen

She lost my ring one day about fifteen years ago when we were swimming, I started wearing hers at that point and still have it on. I just don't think I could take it off as I just lost the love of my life only thirteen months ago Thursday.

It's been 19 months since I lost Richard, and I still wear mine. I replaced the engagement ring with a diamond anniversary band that accompanies my wedding band.

If my poll input would count, I don't plan to take mine off. In my heart I am forever Richard's wife, so there is basically no need to.

In the past women mourned their spouse for about a year. I've decided to follow this custom and remove my ring one year after my husband passed. I rarely wore my engagement ring, so I'll probably have it redesigned into a necklace or something.

This of course is a very personal topic and everyone will do what feels "best" for them, and should not be be judged otherwise by others. As for me, I will FOREVER wear my wedding ring, which my darling wife Pattie placed on my finger. Come to think of it, I don't believe I've ever taken it off since our wedding day. I wear Pattie's wedding ring around my neck on a necklace and will not ever take it off as well. I go out to socialize sometimes and I am aware that people who don't know me think that I am married. I don't care. Why shouldn't they believe that, I do - I will ALWAYS be married to Pattie. I will forever be married to my Pattie in my heart and soul. It is so very comforting and it is such an honor and a privelage for me to wear her ring. I am so, very grateful to my Lord to have been given this privelage to be her husband that I am honored to wear the rings. Blessings to all of you. -Sam