Could you ever imagine forgetting your wedding? It was most likely one of the happiest days of your life, and you probably think you couldn’t forget it if you tried.
But for one woman, this became reality. Krickitt and Kim met in 1992, fell in love, and got married the following year. Sadly, ten weeks after their wedding, the newlyweds were both in a horrific car crash and critically injured.
While husband Kim pulled through, his wife was doing anything but. At one point doctors were not sure the bride would make it. After 21 days in a coma, doctors woke Krickitt.
Sadly, her brain damage caused irreparable amnesia that left her with no memory of the 18 months leading up to the accident.
“I lost about a two-year period,” Krickitt told Oprah back in 1996. “I was in diapers, and they hand-fed me, and they had to teach me how to walk and talk again.”
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When going through these major rehabilitations, she also had to learn that she was a newlywed. “I was told, ‘This is my husband, Kim,’ so I kinda just started to go on with that,” she said.
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While she slowly regained her life, a new side of herself emerged. She was more outgoing, and had a shorter temper. Her husband Kim found it difficult to juggle the new and old Krickitt. It seemed that even through his encouraging words and share of faith, she found his presence and pep talks annoying. She resented his positive reinforcement so much that she picked up and moved in with her parents in New Mexico.
Though their marriage looked bleak, Kim held his head high and took his vows to heart. “I made that promise before the Lord,” he said. “You make that promise, you keep the promise. If you’re going to say something, act on your word. Be a man or woman of your word.”
Then, in 1994 they began seeing a therapist. After listening to the two sides, he noted that neither of them had made an attempt to create new memories together! So, at the advice of the therapist, they began dating again.
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“I got to know my husband again,” says Krickitt. “There was a point when I really started to enjoy this companion. I would miss him if he wasn’t around.”
Two years later in 1996, Kim proposed again on Valentine’s Day.
Krickitt accepted.
On May 25th, the two again exchanged rings—new ones—and read newly written vows. “Only one thing can surpass forever the painful events we have felt,” Kim told her. “That is the love I have for you.”
I’m sure you figured this out by now, but the movie called “The Vow,” which starred Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, was based on their story.