A Quick Wedding Before Deployment
In 1944, Frankie King and Royce, her high school sweetheart, hurriedly planned their wedding in just a few days. Royce, who was in the military, had a two-day leave before being deployed overseas for World War II. With limited time, they decided to tie the knot in their small town of Oelwein, Iowa.
A Lasting Marriage
Despite the hurried wedding, Frankie and Royce went on to raise two children and remained happily married throughout the years. They continue to reside in Oelwein and receive care from a hospice nurse from St. Croix Hospice.
Recreating Wedding Memories
On their 77th wedding anniversary, the hospice nurse asked Frankie to share photographs from their wedding day. However, Frankie explained that they didn’t have any pictures because there was no photographer present on their wedding day.
Upon hearing this, the nurse and other staff members at St. Croix Hospice took it upon themselves to recreate Frankie and Royce’s wedding day. They dressed Frankie in a beautiful vintage wedding gown from the 1940s and Royce in his Air Force uniform, the same attire he wore when they got married.
A Touching Moment
Sue, their daughter, helped Frankie put on the wedding dress. She described the moment as sweet and touching, with Frankie contemplating whether to wear her glasses or not. Sue reassured her mother that she looked beautiful either way.
Meanwhile, outside in the backyard, Royce stood with a handkerchief over his eyes, waiting for his bride for the “first look.” When the blindfold was removed, Royce had the biggest smile on his face for the rest of the day.
An Act of Humanity
The hospice staff’s efforts to recreate the wedding day left a deep emotional impact. The CEO of St. Croix Hospice, Heath Bartness, expressed overwhelming emotion and pride in witnessing this act of humanity and the connection it created. It was a second opportunity for Frankie and Royce to relive their special day.
A Testimony of Love and Devotion
Sue expressed her gratitude for witnessing the recreation of her parents’ wedding day. She emphasized that throughout the years, despite the challenges they faced, Frankie and Royce always prioritized their love and devotion, making their relationship work.
This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the enduring power of love and the lengths people will go to create moments of joy and connection in their lives.