L
isa Marshall, 55, from
Andover, Connecticut, found
her Prince Charming not once,
but twice in her husband Peter, 56.
Th ey were friends who lost touch
but reconnected years later in a
whirlwind romance. For eight years,
they dated long-distance, traveling
for rendezvous that felt like mini-
honeymoons. Th en came their actual
honeymoon in 2009, following a
breathtaking beachside wedding in
Turks and Caicos.
Lisa cherishes their history, even
though her husband can’t remember
it. Peter was diagnosed with younger-
onset Alzheimer’s in 2018, and the
details of their relationship have
slowly been stolen away.
This heartbreaking fact became clear
one night in December 2020, when Lisa
and Peter settled down to watch TV.
A touching wedding scene made Lisa
cry, and after ribbing her a little for the
display, Peter turned serious, nervous
even, and asked Lisa a question that
had started their marriage years ago.
“Peter pointed at the TV and said, ‘Let’s
do it.’ And I said, ‘Do what?’ And he
pointed again and had this huge grin
on his face. I said, ‘Get married? Are you
asking me to marry you?’ And he said,
‘Yes!’” Lisa says.
Peter no longer remembered that Lisa
was his wife. “I couldn’t decide if I should
cry for the loss or cry for being proposed
to again,” Lisa says. “He was so genuine
and so vulnerable. He found in his heart
that place that loves me, which has been
undying throughout this.”
Alzheimer’s caregivers are often given
the advice to meet people living with the
disease where they are — in their
reality. So Lisa told Peter of course
I felt
Cinderella-ish.
It was magical.
I
al
PROPOSES, AGAIN
Lisa and Peter at their vow renewal in April.
Photo by Cait Fletcher Photography.
12 • Special Issue|ALZ Paid Partner Content Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association
