Woman who did not have wedding gown on her big day finally wore one 77 years later at the age of 97
When 97-year-old Frankie King got married to her husband back on September 16, 1944, she didn't have a wedding dress to wear to the occasion. Years passed, King's family expanded, and she got older, too. But, King being a woman, most likely wanted to make her special day memorable by wearing a wedding gown. Though it took about 77 years, her dream finally came true!
For her 77th wedding anniversary, King finally got the chance to don a white dress. The hospice where King currently resides decided to host a reenactment of her wedding, so she could fulfill her wish. Finally, on September 24, 2021, she celebrated her wedding anniversary in a beautiful bridal gown, reports PEOPLE.
The hospice even had a photographer take pictures of the beautiful event, and it's evident that there was not a dry eye to be seen. "It was so hard to keep from crying behind the lens as I got to witness the emotion with this beautiful couple, and the love and compassion that their team poured into preparing this event for them," Hilary Michelson, a photographer and staff member at St. Croix Hospice, where King stays.
King's daughter, Sue Bilodeau, helped her get ready for the ceremony. "The light in her eyes — I wish everyone could have seen it. She told me she felt so beautiful," St. Croix Hospice Aide Kacie Derr said in a statement.
"It was so touching to be a part of that," she added. "I've never worked for a company that would do something so wholesome and heartfelt for someone." Meanwhile, her husband waited by a makeshift altar surrounded by flowers, looking smart in his Air Force uniform. Music from the 40s played in the background while King walked down the aisle to her beloved husband of nearly eight decades.
The hospice shared beautiful images from the ceremony, with the caption that said, "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. Our music therapist played 1940s classics while Frankie walked down the "aisle" with her daughter toward her one true love. Hospice is about honoring the entire life of a patient, and even adding to the story."
King's daughter Bilodeau left a comment on the post: "Words cannot express the gratitude our family has for The amazing staff at St Croix for making this day happen. Just to see my Mom looking in her mirror prior to the ceremony and seeing Dad’s smile light up when he glimpsed Mom in her beautiful dress. Couldn’t see through the tears."
Michelson said she couldn't have been happier to be a part of and to capture the special occasion.
"My experience in working with end-of-life care has taught me so many valuable experiences," she says. "The most important of them all being that there's going to be a day where all we have are these little moments frozen in time. That's what motivates me behind the camera — making sure I capture those memories for families."