Widows and wedding rings

DH died 3 years ago this Monday - much missed, but as I’ve posted before, I’ve no real sentimentality towards ‘things’. After changing to white metal, years ago, I sold my original yellow gold wedding ring. For a cruise in ‘05, I didn’t want to take my engagement ring (also not the original) so I bought a diamond band. DH had no interest and said to just get what I wanted. I still wear that, as I like it and it wouldn’t fit a finger on my right hand. When I (very rarely) wear my engagement ring, I take the diamond band off and wear the plain band with it.

However, as others have posted, it’s a personal choice.

I still wear mine - OH died 4 years ago. It is in fact a ring that he gave me for our ruby wedding. It is curtain ring type narrow band with 6 tiny rubies set in it - a local jeweller made it - I think my OH had help from the DDs in organising this! It is a very pretty ring and I wear it for that reason. It does not fit on any other finger.

My original wedding ring dated from 1970 and was of the wide "bit of copper pipe" style that was fashionable then - but I had to stop wearing it as my finger went rotten underneath!

I guess if I suddenly got the urge to tout round for a new partner I would take it off - but the potential candidates would all be older and I have done my share of caring for a sick elderly man. I did it willingly but have no desire to do it again.....

I am surprised how many people still wear their wedding ring. I stopped wearing mine a year or two after being widowed. That does not mean I am looking for another partner!

I never ever regularly wore mine through my long and happy marriage. I don't find rings comfortable, never have, and working in the NHS, I did a LOT of handwashing so while Iwas allowed to wear a wedding ring at work, I never did. Its never entered my head that its a sign of unavailabilty or otherwise, I just don't wear it.

I don't wear my ring to show I'm "unavailable." I wear it because I want to, because I still feel married, because the man I loved with all my heart gave it to me on our wedding day.
I don't wear it every day. Sometimes I forget to put it on. Throughout our almost 50 years of marriage I've been the same.

I still wear my wedding and engagement rings, also my late husband's wedding ring. I have been alone for 15 years now but wouldn't dream of not wearing my rings. As has been said, it is a personal choice.

Whiff

My husband died 20 years ago last month until November I always wore it with a ring tightener as I have lost 7 st over the years and it was loose. Went out shopping and took my gloves off and no ring . I screamed and burst into tears. I had forgotten to put the ring tightener on. I take it off at bedtime . I looked everywhere and then phoned the cafe I had a drink in . They found it on the floor and because I am a regular they knew it was mine. My daughter had been on to me for a year to put it on a chain. My husband was 47 and me 45 when he died married 22 together 29. I wanted the ring left as he put it on my finger. But I brought a silver snake linked chain and wear it round my neck. I hate not wearing it but I couldn't bare to lose it.

Oh Whiff, I'm so glad your ring was found, what a horrible moment for you to see such a precious thing missing.

My husband died suddenly six years ago. I have never removed my wedding ring since he put it on my finger in September 1971, and never will. I also wear my engagement ring when appropriate. I still consider myself married.

Calendargirl, my fingers aren't swollen, the rings are quite loose. Over the years, though, my knuckles must have grown thicker, so yes, I'd have to have the rings cut off.

I was widowed eight years ago. My wedding ring is now too small so I don’t wear it. My engagement ring, also too small is on my little finger.
I had no hesitation in not wearing a ring as my DH never wore one and what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Still miss him though😢

We married in 1963, my husband died 53 years later. I still wear my wedding and eternity rings, as far as I`m concerned, he`s still my husband.

I can't answer really - others hopefully will. All my relatives carried on wearing their wedding rings forever, being widowed made no difference. It brought closeness and comfort and they couldn't imagine being without their wedding band.

On the other side of the coin, I am married but don't wear my wedding ring, I seem to prefer my grandmother's little gold band , she died when I was five years old. I mangled my wedding ring in a door once, it got squished and sat in the drawer for ages. Do what feels right for you.

It's been nearly a year for me. I took my ring off about 4 weeks later as I had a new one made with his ashes in. That never moves off my finger. My wedding rings are put aside for my GDs

2 years and some months on I still wear my wedding ring and alternate the diamond and precious stone rings that DH gave me as gifts. I still consider myself to be married and have no intention of seeking another relationship.

I can’t imagine not continuing to wear my wedding ring if I survive my spouse. It’s never occurred to me to do otherwise. However, as already said, it’s a very personal choice.