This special love story will bring you to 'happy tears'
CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Randy Coleman and Melissa Kuhlenschmidt have been married nearly four months. At some point, they started dressing alike, wearing the same colors.
“That was my idea,” said Randy. “We think it’s cute.”
Randy Coleman is making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for himself and his new wife. Melissa Kuhlenschmidt, a picky eater, never liked the pairing of the two, but now it’s become a favorite. Randy is teaching his wife to tell time with an analog clock. She helps him by counting the repetitions required for his physical therapy exercises for a shoulder injury. He’s now using a rolling walker because of it. They’ve been attending the church where they married.
“They’re learning a lot about themselves and each other and how to work together,” said Virgie Kuhlenschmidt, their roommate and Melissa’s aunt, who helps guide them.
They cook, clean, do laundry together and spend downtime in their bedroom.
“I like to watch TV with him, like Nick Flicks, and listen to music with him,” said Melissa. “We like country.”
For Randy, the reward is in the beauty of the mundane.
“I love getting to go to sleep with my partner in life.”
Randy’s mother, Karen Coleman, hopes one day they may be able to live on their own.
“It’s been wonderful to watch.”
To understand how far this couple has come, you have to understand where they started.
It's been about a decade since Randy and Melissa met while bowling for the Special Olympics. In May, their life as a husband and wife began.
Watch the video above to see the beautiful wedding of Melissa and Randy.
The love between Melissa and Randy grew over Hannah Montana and High School Musical movies and Chinese food. Melissa liked how Randy played the guitar and the mountain dulcimer. Randy liked how Melissa took care of him. He uses crutches because of muscular problems from the rare genetic disorder, Sjogren-Larsson syndrome. Their parents supported the relationship, driving them on dates, but never expected the coupling to crescendo to a wedding. Indeed, marriage had long ago slipped from their hopes for their children's futures after learning they had intellectual disabilities.
"I knew that she was his only and how could I deny him? The way I look at it, my son deserves to be happy in this life, not just because he's handicapped," said Randy's mother, Karen Coleman. "Why shouldn't they be happy together?"
Father of the bride, Fred Kuhlenschmidt, was equally surprised. "I didn't even know she was really interested in boys before Randy."
To learn more about their journey and life after their wedding, read the rest of the story by clicking below: