Life, love and new memories in 2021 at the Eastern Upper Peninsula Hospice
The hearts of Michael and Tiffany Dyke merged into one forever on November 6, 2021, sharing a seldom-told love story.
An unforeseen dream wedding took place at Michael’s residence – Ball Hospice House, Hospice of the (Eastern Upper Peninsula) EUP.
“The girls who work here took it over,” said Michael. “The wedding table was already set up. They did all the decoration and prepared the food. ”The customer review has been automatically translated from German.
When the ceremony and dinner were over, the girls said, “Go outside and meet; Your trip is here. “
“I looked out and the whole street was full of tow trucks and police cars from end to end,” Michael said. “So we jumped in. We drove through town and waved to the people on the side of the road. Some had congratulatory signs come up. “
The bride and groom are not originally from Sault Ste. Marie; And were shocked by the love and support of their joyful union.
“It was pretty heartwarming that the city was there,” said Michael.
The couple first met in August 2019 after mutual friends introduced them on Facebook. Chats often contained humor along with all the things they had in common. The distance between them didn’t matter.
“Tiffany drove all the way here to meet me from Colorado,” Michael said.
“I was scared,” admitted Tiffany. “I drove across the country to meet someone I had never met before. He showed me Grand Rapids and how nice it was. I fell in love with Michigan. “
The two got to know each other better while sharing Mexican food in downtown Donkey Taqueria.
About six months later, Michael knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Tiffany. The couple enjoyed a blissful few months, torn straight from a classic romance novel.
“We knew right away,” said Tiffany. “A lasting memory was when he returned to Colorado with me. It was the joy I saw on his face when he first saw the Rocky Mountains. We always laughed and joked. It never got boring. “
Michael and Tiffany knew immediately that they should be together – nothing could tear them apart.
“She moved from Colorado to Michigan,” said Michael. “That’s pretty spectacular. First, she posted her résumé online and filled out applications. Then she got a call from a company up here asking for an interview. She drove all the way to the interview and took the job. We went back to Colorado, packed up our gear, and made our way over here. Everything lined up. We just had to drive into the driveway and unpack. “
But Michael ended up in the hospital, followed by words no one was ready to hear.
“They told me I had tops for two months to two years,” said Michael.
January 5th marks Michael’s 43rd birthday, but he’s lived in the hospice since October.
“I have some abdominal problems that were treated in the hospital,” said Michael. “I was in and out of liver failure.”
Tiffany decided to stay by his side, despite illness and health, until his earthly departure.
“To find out that someone you care about has months to live is absolutely terrifying,” said Tiffany.
Michael took a brave step and called Tiffany from his room at War Memorial Hospital.
He asked the question, “It’s stupid to ask and I know I’m just a corpse, but I want to spend what little time I have with you. What do you think of marrying a corpse? ”
She said yes!”
Because she is united in marriage, Ms. Dyke spends her days visiting Mr. Dyke at the hospice and administering the house. From time to time he goes home to be with his wife. When stressed and worried, Tiffany is reminded of Michael’s great inner strength.
“He’s not afraid of anything,” said Tiffany of her husband. “He has no fear…”
For Michael, the present life is calm and peaceful.
EUP Executive Director Tracey Holt’s Hospice was grateful that the home, volunteers and staff were able to make the couple’s dream wedding a reality.
Today is Christmas and Holt is overjoyed that the residents of the Ball Hospice Shrine will share this holiday with their loved ones.
With the help of St. Issac Jogues Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus, 649, a hot dinner is served on Christmas Day at 3:00 p.m. The five patients in the house are joined by 15 family members and nursing staff. Mr. and Mrs. Dyke will also attend the Christmas party.
“Michael has been with us for a while and he’s really grateful,” said Tracey.
Maxx Anderson has been a friend and supporter of the hospice center for nearly 30 years. Former hospice residents include her mother, who died in October 2020, and her uncle, who died in January 2021.
“The hospice answered and said, ‘We have a couple who are about to get married,’ said Anderson. “We just started talking on the phone and everyone said they would volunteer.”
When United Presbyterian Church elder Brenda Ransom volunteered, Michael and Tiffany realized that their dream of marriage could come true.
“We all just achieved their dream with them,” said Anderson.
Tiffany was escorted through a makeshift corridor at the hospice house by her 20-year-old daughter while Michael’s sons served as groomsmen. The couple made traditional vows in front of a stone fireplace, friends and family.
“A lot of people get the idea of going to a hospice to sit around and watch someone die,” said Anderson. “That’s not the case.”
In a year-end appeal letter from the EUP’s Hospice entitled ‘Let’s Make 2022 the Happiest New Year,’ Anderson wrote: “Love always wins; Live your life while you live and toast the memories you have lived. While grief may seem eternal, it is often regret for what we did not experience together. “
