There are many people who get married despite the fact that critics may doubt their ability to stay married for the long term. This often happens when we get married quickly or perhaps we are young and people don’t think we are yet responsible enough for the bond.
In 1995, there was a young couple who also were doubted but they ended up getting married and they stayed married for 25 years. They also were the first couple with Down syndrome in the UK to become husband and wife.
These days, we hear about people who have Down syndrome getting married on a regular basis. At that time, however, it was unheard of and it was the first time in the world that a couple with Down syndrome said I do.
Just like any other disability, however, those with Down syndrome have the ability to beat the odds, and certainly, that is what Tommy and Maryanne Pilling did. In fact, they are an inspiration to many who wonder if they have what it takes.
Maryanne was born in 1971. Her mother, Linda Martin, provided her with a loving atmosphere at home and she also had a sister who loved her as well. There were still times, however, when she struggled in life and she was even rejected by her father.
Since she was raised in a loving household, however, she grew up to be a very loving woman. It was easy to see in her lively personality.
Tommy was born in 1958 and was an only child. When he was 12 years old, he became an orphan and he grew up in a care home in Essex. He did have delayed development because of a lack of a support system, and he didn’t care much for his physical appearance.
When the two of them met in 1990, they were working in a kitchen in a training home for disabled individuals. He was 32 and she was 19 at the time.
It was easy to see how Maryanne felt about Tommy because she would absolutely light up when she spoke about him. They shared a number of common interests, such as music, cooking, movies, and doing craftwork.
Tommy also loved Elvis Pressley and the two of them would dance together on a regular basis. He would also let her know how much he loved her, and eventually, the family got accustomed to having him around.
18 months after they started dating, he proposed to her and asked her mother for permission to marry her daughter. The mother didn’t hesitate, she gave her blessings right away.
Other people, however, were not quite so positive about the idea of the two of them getting married. Some said that she wasn’t ready for it and some even asked about their sex life.
Despite the fact that they were criticized openly, they got married in 1995. 250 people came to the wedding, which was a fairytale for them.
They lived together with her family for seven years before moving into their own apartment next door. Her sister also moved along with them.
They have a very strong bond because he listens carefully when she speaks. There is never any type of hidden agenda and they love each other with their whole hearts.
Unfortunately, Tommy was hospitalized in 2020 after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and then got COVID. Due to his declining health, he passed away. That was on January 1, 2021.
When the news was broken to her, she seemed to understand but still was a little confused about the situation. We are just glad that they had almost 30 years together, and they loved each other till the end.
I Went on a Date with My Brother’s Friend – It Was a Setup
My brother recently arranged for me to go on a date with his friend Stewart, which ended up being a disaster. We found ourselves stuck at a fancy restaurant with an unpaid bill, and as the manager threatened to call the police, I realized the extent of Adam’s plan. I was left wondering how we were going to get out of this mess.
“You need to meet this guy, Jess,” Adam said, his face lit up as if he had just discovered something amazing. He was comfortably settled on my couch, channel surfing.
“Who are you talking about?” I asked, still focused on my laptop.
“Stewart. He works with me. He’s a great guy. Solid job, nice car, the whole package.”
rolled my eyes. “Is this another one of your setups?”
“No, seriously! He’s different. You’ll really like him. And he’s been asking about you.”
I sighed, skeptical due to Adam’s bad track record with setups, but his enthusiasm about Stewart made me curious. “Alright, but if this goes poorly, I’m not going to trust your setups anymore.”
Adam smirked. “Deal. You’ll thank me later, trust me.”
I spent the next few hours preparing carefully, wanting to make a good impression despite my reservations. By the time I was ready, my apartment was a mess from all the makeup and clothes. Despite my anxiety, Adam’s encouragement kept me going.
Stewart arrived in a shiny new sedan. As I got in, I couldn’t help but notice the car’s clean leather smell and the smooth hum of the engine.
“Hi, Jess?” he greeted me with a genuinely warm smile.
“Yes, that’s me. Nice to meet you, Stewart.”
“Likewise. You look great, by the way.”
I blushed, feeling a bit more at ease. “Thanks. So, where are we heading?”
“I thought we could try this new place downtown. It’s fancy, but the food is amazing.”
“Sounds good,” I replied, surprised by the upscale choice.
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