A heartwarming video has gone viral on social media this week, showing the moment a woman with dementia saw her husband on their 72nd anniversary.
Leonard and Shirley Matties are both 91-years-old. Yet they're still just as much in love as they were when they first met. So when Ardis Behrendsen, a nurse working at Grace Manor Care Center where the couple stay, heard that their wedding anniversary was coming up, she decided to throw a photoshoot for them to commemorate the occasion.
Despite the fact that Shirley has dementia, Ardis was able to capture the moment when she first saw her husband on her anniversary day on camera. As you can see, when a staff member rolled Shirley out in her wheelchair, Leonard's face absolutely lit up and Shirley clearly recognised her partner.
Commenting on the experience of filming the touching scene in a later Facebook post, Ardis wrote: " I have been working in long term healthcare since I was 16. Working with the elderly has always been a huge passion to me. What I got to be a part of today was the most beautiful experience, this amazing couple has been married 72 years today."
Check out the amazing footage of the anniversary below:She continued: "Not only was I able to get this beautiful bride a dress and doll her all up, but I was also able to take pictures of their very special day and capture the love and commitment they have for each other, even after 72 years. Leonard and Shirley are such a beautiful example of what true love is and prove that when you truly love someone, you fix what is broken and love each other through all the hard times you may face."
She added: "I can’t even begin to tell you how it felt to witness so much love and emotion today, seeing the look on Leonard’s face when I brought Shirley out was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. It’s days like today that I feel so blessed to do what I do..... because in the end, love is the only thing that truly matters."
To Shirley and Leonard, I truly mean this: have a very happy anniversary.
