When Royce King and Frankie King got married back in 1944, there wasn’t time for wedding photos or even the traditional bridal gown. The wedding happened quickly during Royce’s short two-day leave before he went off to fight in World War II.
Now, 77 years later, thanks to the thoughtful team at St. Croix Hospice, 98-year-old Royce and 97-year-old Frankie finally have beautiful wedding photographs to treasure. The Kings are lovingly cared for by hospice staff at their home in Oelwein, Iowa.
To celebrate their extraordinary 77th wedding anniversary, the hospice team organized a special event right on their lawn. Frankie wore a lovely vintage bridal gown from the 1940s, and Royce donned his Air Force uniform. The sun shone down brightly on September 16, making it a perfect day for festivities.
As Frankie made her way down the makeshift aisle, a St. Croix music therapist serenaded them with classics from the 1940s. Flowers picked from their own patio were fashioned into a lovely bouquet, adding a personal touch to the occasion.
The heartwarming moments of the day were captured by Hilary Michelson, a talented photographer and member of the St. Croix Hospice team. She took a series of photos, ensuring the couple had beautiful memories for their wedding album.
“I was so honored to be the one to photograph their 77th anniversary. It was incredibly emotional. I tried my hardest to stay composed, but it’s hard not to get a little teary-eyed,” Michelson shared on Facebook.
Royce and Frankie’s daughter, Sue Bilodeau, who lives in California, happened to be visiting and witnessed the touching ceremony.
“It was unbelievably moving and uplifting. I couldn’t stop smiling. Seeing Mom in her wedding dress, looking so beautiful, was something truly special,” Sue recounted with joy.
They even included a sweet ‘first look’ moment. Frankie stood before Royce with a handkerchief over his eyes. When it was removed, the look of joy and love on Royce’s face was unmistakable and remained there for the rest of the day.
Sue remarked that even though her parents had missed out on formal wedding photos, their relationship has been captured through numerous other pictures over the years. The love and passion between them was evident in their long, tender kiss during this special event.
The St. Croix team added another layer of tradition to the day by preparing a special wedding cake. Royce and Frankie delighted in cutting the cake together, something they hadn’t been able to do at their original wedding.
“They were simply overwhelmed with joy and so thankful to St. Croix for making this happen. Mom loved dressing up and looking beautiful, and Dad enjoyed all the attention. It was a day to remember for all of us,” Sue added.
Many St. Croix Hospice staff members were able to adjust their schedules to attend the ceremony in person, sharing in the couple’s joy.
Heath Bartness, CEO of St. Croix Hospice, expressed the sentiment perfectly:
“How can you not feel deeply moved by this? Reflecting on what it was like during World War II and how significant this second chance was, you feel like you’re part of something truly special. Our organization is incredibly proud, not just as a business, but as a humanitarian effort.”
Comments and congratulations flooded in on Facebook from those who saw the photos, celebrating the enduring love and resilience of Royce and Frankie.