Lovebirds Tie the Knot at Senior Living Facility

Family, friends, and residents at Highland Trail Sky Active Living came together to celebrate a second chance at love for Gertrud Joyce, 89, and Lauren Ball, 96.

"I had a lot of respect for him," Joyce said. "I knew he was something special."

"She is something special," Ball said.

Ball and Joyce met at Highland Trail Sky Active Living. The pair moved into the living community within months of each other in 2021.

"He kept sitting at my table for food," Joyce said. "Then one day, he invited me to come to church with him."

Prior to that, Ball had spent 25 years in the Army and 37 years as a chiropractor. Joyce grew up in Germany, moving to the United States in 1961 before getting multiple degrees and working in chemistry. She still has numerous patents in her name.

Both Joyce and Ball had been married previously. Joyce said her husband passed away in 2016 and Ball said his wife passed away five years ago from Alzheimer's.

After spending time together, Ball said he had a sign their relationship was ready for a change.

"I got word from up above and he said, 'You need to get married,'" Ball said. "So, that very morning I called her up on the phone and said, 'I need to talk with you.' So she came up and sat down and we looked at each other for a minute and I asked her, 'Would you be my wife?' And she said, 'I would be honored.' And that was last Saturday."

Within days, the bouquets were made and the guests assembled. On Wednesday night, it became official. They tied the knot.

"Now, it's too late to untie it," Joyce said.

Both Ball and Joyce are now ready for their happily ever after.

The pair say they're grateful for the staff at Highland Trail that helped put the wedding together.

"Oh, it's wonderful," Joyce said. "These people did so much."

Many of the couple's family, children, and grandchildren were present Wednesday night for the ceremony.

What do you think?

• Do you believe in second chances at love?
• Should age be a factor in getting married?
• What role do you think faith plays in relationships?