Couple Proved Wrong Critics That Said Their Marriage Shouldn’t Exist by Living Happily for 25 Years
A couple defied skeptics and proved doubters wrong when they married in 1995, becoming the first couple with Down’s syndrome to become husband and wife, both in the UK and worldwide.
48-year-old Maryanne and 62-year-old Tommy are just months away from celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in July, and the couple from Essex is believed to be the world’s longest married couple with Down syndrome, according to the Daily Mail.
They even have a Facebook page where many follow their inspirational story. But to get to where they are, they have had to deal with all the skepticism that came in the way of them getting married in 1995
EARLY LIFE STRUGGLES
Maryanne was born on May 17, 1971. Even though she had a loving mother, Linda Martin, and an affectionate sister, Lindi Newman, her carer, life wasn’t always easy for her. She was rejected by her father, Martin’s first husband.
But because of the love and support she received from her mother, Maryanne grew up to be a lively and gregarious girl.
Tommy was born on March 21, 1958 (World Down Syndrome Day).
He was an only child and became orphaned at the age of 12, after which he grew up in an Essex care home. Having no close support system meant that his development was impaired, and he paid hardly any attention to his physical appearance.
FAIRYTALE WEDDING
It was at a local training center where the two of them met for the very first time and eventually fell in love. “Maryanne doesn’t remember a life before Tommy,” Maryanne’s sister, Lindi said. “The day she met him, she had the biggest smile on her face and she couldn’t stop talking about him.”
After 18 months of dating, Tommy was sure that Maryanne was the one he wanted to marry and asked her mother for her blessings. Then, he got a toy ring from a vending machine and proposed to her before they got married in a church, surrounded by their friends and family.
Maryanne, who dreamed of a big white wedding since she was little was overjoyed to have her wish come true. “I had a white dress, my hair was tied back. I wore my crown,” recalled Maryanne, who walked the aisle with her mother. Her mother, Linda Newman remarked that she was so excited she ran the last few steps towards him. “My wedding was the best day of my life,” Maryanne said.
Even though the couple was deeply in love, several people believed their marriage wouldn’t last and even Linda received a lot of criticism for letting them get married.
LOVELY COUPLE
After their marriage, Tommy lived with Maryanne’s family for seven years. The couple then moved into their own apartment next door, with Maryanne’s sister, Newman becoming their carer. Newman shared her thoughts on their lovely relationship:
The family’s constant support has helped strengthen the couple’s marriage through two and a half decades.
With worries that they would be torn apart, Maryanne, now helps care for her husband Tommy, alongside her sister, Lindi Newman, 32 and mother Linda, 69.
Above all, their deep love for each other has kept them together and their marriage advice is “to be honest and to spend time together as much as possible”.
Maryanne helps take care of her husband, along with her mother and her sister. “To the best of our knowledge, they’re now the longest living married couple with Down’s syndrome,” said Lindi.
Although Tommy is facing a tough battle with dementia, their love still remains untainted. “Tommy and I never argue. I love my husband very much. He is my best friend,” Maryanne said, according to the Daily Mail.
Tommy passed away on January 1 at the age of 62, leaving his love of nearly 30 years alone. Her mother broke the sad news to her, and even though she seemed to understand, she later asked when Tommy would come home.
The heartwarming love story of Tommy and Maryanne silenced the doubters and haters and proved to the world that any obstacle could be overcome with love.
Source: dailymail.co.uk, explore.newsner.com, news.amomama.com
