Man with ‘Memory Loss Problem’ goes viral after marrying his wife again

A couple from Connecticut in the US recently went viral after the husband who has Alzheimer’s disease decided to marry his wife for a second time.

According to NBC New York, Alzheimer’s disease has stolen most of Peter Marshall’s memories, but one thing he hasn’t forgotten is how much he loves his wife — even if he doesn’t know her name.

Peter and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 12 years. But with Peter, 56, battling early-onset Alzheimer’s that he was diagnosed with a few years ago, he doesn’t remember that wedding happening. He just knows that he loves her. But, in 2020, Peter had a moment of clarity. The couple were watching a wedding on TV, when he said, “Let’s do it”.

Lisa asked what he meant – when he pointed to the scene of the wedding. According to Lisa she then asked if he wanted to get married, to which he said yes with a “huge grin on his face”.

“He doesn’t know that I’m his wife. I’m just his favorite person,” Lisa told the publication. “I’m the luckiest girl in the world. I get to do it twice.”

Her daughter is a wedding and event planner and put the word out and countless vendors offered their services, for free.

“It was so perfect. I couldn’t have dreamt for a better day. It was so magical,” said Lisa. “I can’t remember seeing him so happy for so long. He was so happy.”

Peter’s illness is progressing rapidly, so much so that he no longer remembers the vow renewal ceremony from just a couple of months ago. But he does remember there’s a woman who loves him and cherishes him always, something he expressed at the wedding.

“He leaned in and he whispered in my ear, ‘Thank you for staying,’” Lisa said.

Lisa also regularly share details of Peter and Alzheimer’s on the Facebook page, Oh Hello Alzheimer’s, which has 6000 followers.

In June she wrote that the slightest thing can trigger the daily tears as she watches Peter disappear.

“Like quicksand, Peter is powerless to her relentless grip, and he succumbs more each day…Peter noticed the sadness leaking out of my face and he came to me as he always has. As he rubbed my back, I allowed myself a rare and freeing cry in his chest and he so clearly assured me, ‘We still have time’”.