Man with Alzheimer's Forgets Marriage to Wife of 34 Years, Proposes for 2nd Time
Since 2010, Michael Joyce, 68, has been suffering from Alzheimer’s and dysphasia. His wife, Linda, has stuck with him through everything, and he has done the same for her.
In 2003, Linda broke her back, but Michael was there every day helping her to get better.
Michael is now in the late stages of the disease, and most often, he can’t remember day to day events.
“It hurts me so much to see him suffering from this cruel disease,” Linda said. “I know in my heart that if the shoe was on the other foot he would be there for me always.”
But one night, Linda saw Michael staring at her with tears in his eyes from across their living room.
Before she had time to ask him what was wrong, he held her hands and said, “Will you marry me?”
After a moment of shock, Linda knew she couldn’t tell him that they were already married.
So she said the only thing she could: “Yes, my darling, I’d be delighted to marry you.”
Linda expected her husband to forget what he’d asked her without actually going through with his request.
But to her surprise, he woke up the next morning fully remembering what he’d asked. And he remembered for a staggering six more days.
Linda knew that this was a sign that she and Michael should renew their vows while they could.
So in one week’s time, they put together a vow renewal ceremony with attendees that Michael remembered.
A photographer and a celebrant even offered the couple their services, free of charge.
“On the morning of the wedding, I was lying beside Michael when he opened his eyes, and his first words were: ‘Today’s the day,'” Linda said.
That day, Linda and Michael proved that love knows no bounds. And both of them knew they’d made the right decision.
“To be standing amidst the beauty of the Hamilton Lake and our precious friends,” Linda said, “to re-marry the love of my life, was the happiest day of my life.”
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