Married at age 22, Carl worked on the railroad most of his life;Vera was a stay-at-home mom who raised the couple’s three children. Many years later, when Carl became ill and moved into Miami Haven Nursing Home,Vera moved in too, to be near him.

Celebrating 60 years of marriage is a rarity, but Carl, a VITAS Cincinnati patient, and his wife, Vera, are still madly in love. As they reached this milestone, they decided to celebrate their “diamond” wedding anniversary by renewing their wedding vows.

Adding some style and dedication of their own, VITAS’ Cincinnati Team 604 turned a small idea into an elegant wedding ceremony and reception in the nursing home’s activities room and cafeteria.

Loretta Burwell, CHHA, found a tuxedo rental store that offered Carl a free tux. Vera wore a cream-colored gown made of silk, provided by the nursing home. Loretta also prepared salad for the reception and purchased decorations—an arch trellis, drapery, plants, linens and floral center pieces.

Ernie Freudenberg, PCRN, once was a hair stylist and volunteered to do Vera’s hair. Connie Martin, Patient Care Secretary, baked a three-tiered wedding cake decorated with silk flowers, columns and creative icing designs.

Kerry Caito, VITAS Representative, ordered fried chicken for the reception, and David Howard, Team Chaplain, wrote personalized marriage vows for the couple, conducted the ceremony and sang Oh Perfect Love in honor of Carl and Vera’s special event 60 years ago.

“Renewing our wedding vows brought back special memories of our first ceremony so long ago,” said Vera.