Michael Joyce has Alzheimer’s and suffers from memory loss. The disease has progressed so much that he forgot he was married to his wife, Linda Joyce, of 38 years. However, he had not forgotten that he was in love with her. Recently, Michael asked Linda to marry him, again. Instead of telling him they were already married, Linda said “Of course I will.” To her surprise, the next morning Michael woke up and asked, “So, when are we doing this?”
Linda sought help from her neighborhood community website, and the surrounding community responded enthusiastically. She began her request, “Amidst the often sad and frustrating times living with Alzheimer’s … there is joy!”
The couple married by a lake surrounded by friends. After the ceremony, Linda said, “There’s been a lot of sadness and a lot of frustration. And despite all the fogginess, today has been pure joy.”
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See Allison Klein, Husband with Alzheimer’s Forgot he Was Married To His Wife of 38 Years. He Proposed, and They Married Again., The Washington Post, January 25, 2018.