PROSPECT, Ky. (WDRB) — At 91 years old, Harold Ritchey is proving that anything is possible — even marrying your ex-wife 27 years after getting divorced.
Maren Ritchey and Harold Ritchey first met in 1984, eventually marrying for the first time a decade later. But by 1999, the couple separated.
Harold Ritchey later remarried, but he and Maren Ritchey never lost touch.
"Well, we just came full circle," Maren Ritchey said. "Then he went one way and I went another. We never had any malice. We stayed friends the whole time. And he raised my daughter."
That daughter, Marcee Hanning, suddenly found herself with only two weeks to find a dress for her own parents' second wedding.
"I'm actually really happy," Hanning said. "I was a little shocked."
Despite the incredibly quick turnaround, Hanning is thrilled to watch her childhood dream play out in real life.
"Probably every kid's dream when their parents divorce is that they get remarried and are back together," Hanning said.
While the sudden proposal and wedding timeline came as a surprise, the enduring bond between her parents did not. Maren Ritchey has visited Harold Ritchey every single day at his retirement home.
"My mom has always been there for my dad, loving and caring for each other," Hanning said. "At the end, I just needed him to be happy and safe wherever he lived."
As for Harold Ritchey, he never expected that Maren Ritchey would be the one to make his golden years shine even brighter.
"No, I had no idea," Harold Ritchey said.
The celebration at the StoryPoint Prospect retirement community featured plenty of music, some stationary dancing and an early-bird dinner at 5 p.m.
As newlyweds once again, Maren Ritchey and Harold Ritchey plan to practice something entirely new this time around.
"Have patience," Maren Ritchey said.
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