A couple who have been together for 21 years have celebrated their love with a blessing ceremony in a care home. Resident Kevin ‘Kev’ Button who has dementia received a blessing with his long-term partner Allison Gallacher to celebrate their love for each other as part of World Alzheimer’s Month.
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00:00I apologise if I cry, but I'm going to read this.
00:04Are you alright?
00:06Clearly he's already fed up of what I'm going to say and I haven't started yet.
00:09Right, so, to my Kevin.
00:15Now I've only me glasses, I'll know this now.
00:17Fact.
00:19Mock-its.
00:21Glasses to co-ordinate.
00:25So, I've been thinking about what to say and the words don't seem to be enough.
00:29I think you're perfect.
00:32Although the day I threw the bacon at you, down the stairs, maybe not.
00:37And you did make me mad and annoyed that day when I had to get the ketchup out of the carpet.
00:43And it seems that things haven't changed with Kevin with his ketchup.
00:48I knew from the moment I saw you, when our first conversation on hockey, you would be around for a long time.
00:54What I didn't know was you would be in my life.
01:00My heart and my home for the last 21 years.
01:09It was easier when I wrote this.
01:11I joined your mixed hockey team for adventure.
01:14Who knew I would get so much more than I'd hoped for.
01:17My mum told me that a traveller who came to the door when I was younger told her I would meet somebody and travel the world with them.
01:27You were so romantic you gave me a birthstone in Rhodes, a promise ring in Ibiza, an engagement ring in Standish, a ring of chocolates in Wales, an eternity ring in Leyland.
01:40And now a ring here seems she was right.
01:44My love for you grows deeper every day.
01:48And always will.
01:50No matter where these things take us in our next adventure.
01:58Sorry.
01:59John Kevin Button.
02:01It's not what he called himself the other day but I don't want to swear.
02:04You are my best friend.
02:06You are my soulmate.
02:08You are my everything.
02:12Never forget that I love you.
02:15Never forget that I love you.
02:25I may not have been your very first date.
02:27Even though I didn't realise we were actually on our first date that Sunday night in Southport.
02:32When I introduced you was just Kevin the hockey captain.
02:37I may not have been your first kiss.
02:39I may not have been your first love.
02:41But when you got on one knee at the end of the bed to propose.
02:44And then couldn't get up.
02:46And then asked me to get you up.
02:48That was definitely some sort of a first.
02:50Even more so when you took me to the chippy afterward buying me the ring ever the romantic came in.
02:57I wish I could turn back the clock and I'd find you sooner.
03:02So I could love you longer.
03:08I should have realised sooner.
03:11That this was never just a friendship.
03:17The Chinese philosopher Lazu said.
03:21Being deeply loved by somebody gives you strength.
03:24Whilst loving someone deeply gives you courage.
03:27Every day when you look at me and smile.
03:30I feel your love and it makes me strong and courageous.
03:35And the will to keep going.
03:38I love you more than you will ever know sweetie.
03:45Always. You're amazing.