In a touching celebration of love, two residents of Westbury Senior Living in Columbia, Missouri, tied the knot in a heartfelt ceremony on February 28. Dave Wichman, a 92-year-old widower, and his 82-year-old bride, Jackie Wichman, found companionship after both had endured the loss of their previous spouses. Their wedding not only marked a significant moment in their lives but also brought joy to fellow residents and family members who gathered to witness their vows.
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The couple’s love story blossomed quickly after they met at Westbury, where they connected through various social activities. Within just a few weeks of their first encounter, Dave proposed to Jackie at her apartment on February 5, kneeling before her and leading to her enthusiastic acceptance filled with joy. “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!” she exclaimed, a testament to the excitement of rekindled romance in their golden years.
The couple’s wedding took approximately two weeks of planning. Friends, family, and fellow residents of the retirement community came together to celebrate this special occasion, which took place in the community dining room adorned with decorations that included an archway of pink, gold, and white balloons, along with pastel butterflies and flowers. The ceremony culminated in warm cheers from the guests as the couple shared their first kiss as husband and wife.
Reflecting on their unexpected reunion, Dave expressed his gratitude for finding love again. “For us to find each other, I think neither of us really expected to find that either but we did, and when we saw it, we grabbed it,” he shared. Both he and Jackie worked through their grief and felt truly fortunate to have discovered each other’s companionship.
Jackie’s choice of attire for the day was an elegant floral cape dress, complemented by a pearl necklace, while Dave donned a navy blazer over tan trousers, finishing off his look with a yellow tie and a pink rose boutonnière. The effort that went into their wedding was significantly supported by the Westbury staff, who collaborated to create a beautiful setting. Shynese Alexander, the resident services director, described the event as “a full team effort,” involving catering, decoration, and coordinating invitations.
“What an honour it is for us to host their wedding,” Alexander noted, emphasising the significance of celebrating such a moment within their shared home. The couple’s family members and friends travelled from across Columbia and nearby St. Louis to join in the festivities, underlining the importance of the day for everyone involved. Dave’s daughter, Liz Moran, expressed how much the ceremony meant to her family, stating, “I know they will take good care of each other. They are both very other-oriented people.”
After saying their vows, the newlyweds cut into a delightful vanilla wedding cake, a creation of local bakery Wishflour. The couple’s shared activities include a love for Bible study and regular attendance at church, along with participating in community events, which further solidified their bond over shared interests.
With a promising future ahead, Dave and Jackie Wichman plan to relocate to a larger apartment within Westbury Senior Living this month, signalling the beginning of their new life together. Their story is a heart-warming reminder that love can bloom at any age, bringing hope and happiness to lives ready for companionship once more.