The bride is 97. The groom is 98. The couple has been married for 77 years, and thanks to some very special people, they were finally treated to some very special wedding memories they missed out on all those years ago.
The Kings are just like family to the staff of the St. Croix Hospice who serve as caretakers for the elderly pair in their Oelwein, Idaho home. With a big anniversary coming up, their caregivers wanted to do something special to celebrate the occasion — and knowing something of the couple’s history, they came up with a perfect plan.
When Frankie and Royce King took their vows (誓言) on September 16, 1944, the world was a very different place. The simple church ceremony was small and short. Rather than a lace gown (蕾丝长裙), Frankie wore a suit. There was no photographer on hand to record the vows.
While Frankie and Royce’s wedding lacked splendor (壮观), their life together has more than made up for it. Two kids, four grandkids, and several great-grandkids later, the Kings’ marriage is still going strong.
On their anniversary, as one staff member played Big-Band era tunes on his saxophone and another took photos, Frankie, dressed in a lovely 1940s-era wedding gown, was led through a flower-covered archway to where Royce was waiting for her. By the time the big wedding cake was served, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Photographer Hilary Michelson said, “I work for St. Croix Hospice full-time while doing photography in my spare time. I am passionate about both of my jobs and it made my heart so incredibly full to see them embracing each other.”
The Kings’ daughter, Sue Bilodeau, is now putting together a photo album of cherished memories for them. “It was definitely one of the most special things ever,” she said. “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.”
【小题1】What did the staff of the St. Croix Hospice decide to do for the Kings?| A．Help them recall their wedding memories. |
| B．Take good care of them as family members. |
| C．Write something about the couple’s history. |
| D．Celebrate their wedding anniversary like a real wedding. |
| A．It seemed to be the perfect plan. |
| B．It was simple and held in a small church. |
| C．It was followed by the couple’s long separation. |
| D．It had only one photographer to record their vows. |
| A．They were all in tears. |
| B．They applauded loudly. |
| C．They were busy taking pictures of the couple. |
| D．They stopped doing everything and watched. |
| A．It made her feel ashamed of herself. |
| B．They set a good example for people. |
| C．It was meaningful and she was thankful. |
| D．She was passionate about doing the same work. |
