Maine couple, 88 and 87, get married, kiss 3 times

[November 17, 2011]  LEWISTON, Maine (AP) -- A Maine couple have proved that true love knows no age limits.

Eighty-eight-year-old Paul Walker married his longtime sweetheart, 87-year-old Ann Thayer, in a rehabilitation center in front of a small group of family and friends on Tuesday.

Seated during the ceremony, the two leaned toward each other to kiss not just once but three times after being pronounced husband and wife at the Marshwood Center, where Walker is undergoing rehabilitation.

"I don't think I've seen a bride and groom kiss three times," rehab center administrator Sheri Nadell told the Sun Journal newspaper (http://bit.ly/rXCh4I) after the ceremony.

Walker, of Lewiston, and Thayer, of Auburn, had been dating for 17 years after meeting at an Auburn church. Both have been married before.

"I think it's sweet," said Yvonne Wilkinson, Walker's daughter-in-law. "I just don't know why they waited so long."

Afterward, Thayer said the two have been talking about the possibility of a honeymoon in Bermuda once Walker feels better.

Thayer said the idea of a wedding was broached with some gentle teasing at Central Maine Medical Center last week.

"All those nurses said, 'You've been together how long? Why didn't you ever get married?' Paul looked at me, 'You want to do it?' I said, 'OK, well, when?' 'Right now,'" she said. "We've had some beautiful years together."

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Information from: Sun-Journal, http://www.sunjournal.com/

[Associated Press]

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