Staff at a hospice in Minnesota have come together to help a couple in their late 90s finally create the wedding photos they never got the chance to have.
In a story that truly shows the power of love, Royce King and his high school sweetheart, Frankie, were finally able to take their wedding pictures - a whopping 77 years after the couple got married at Grace United Methodist Church in Oelwein, Iowa.
Royce and Frankie tied the knot on September 16, 1944. Taking to Facebook, a spokesperson for the Oakdale-based St. Croix Hospice revealed: "In 1944, Frankie didn't have a wedding dress. But for her 77th anniversary this month, the St. Croix Hospice team found her one, and planned a special day to celebrate."
Instead of a traditional white wedding gown, Frankie instead opted for a smart tailored suit. Per The Washington Post,
Royce also had just two days to celebrate with his new wife before leaving to serve overseas as an Air Force pilot in World War II.
Sadly, the couple did not have a photographer on hand to capture their big day.
Nevertheless, their love endured, and the sweethearts went on to have two children, four grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.
Prior to celebrating their 77th wedding anniversary last month, staff at the St. Croix Hospice learned that the couple never got to commemorate their special day with wedding photos. So, despite Royce being 98 and Frankie being 97, the dedicated team that looks after the couple decided to give them an anniversary to remember - complete with a photographer.
In a Facebook post, a spokesperson for the hospice said: "Our music therapist played 1940s classics while Frankie walked down the 'aisle' with her daughter towards her one true love."
Frankie wore a vintage wedding dress, there was a wedding cake, and - most importantly - lots of beautiful photos were captured.
The post added: "Hospice is about honoring the entire life of a patient, and even adding to the story."
Speaking to The Washington Post, the couple's daughter, Sue Bilodeau, said: "It was definitely one of the most special things ever.
"When Mom mentioned she didn’t have time to plan a big wedding and didn’t have a photographer, the St. Croix staff members worked together to make sure they could get their special day."
Sharing the beautiful pictures to Facebook, the hospice's post has amassed over 36,000 shares and more than 2,000 comments from well-wishers and people congratulating the couple and the staff.
"Inspired by this beautiful wonderful couple. Thank you Hospice Workers for making this a memorable day for this couple all of you are awesome," one person commented.
A second added: "What a beautiful couple. Thank you Hospice for giving them a gift to cherish and treasure."
