Kristen Armstrong\u2019s life took an unexpected turn in 2008 when she received a chilling phone call.
\nHer husband, Brandon Smith, had been in a severe car accident.<\/p>\n
The news was so shocking that she found herself asking her mother, \u201cWhat will I do if Brandon is gone?\u201d<\/p>\n
She couldn\u2019t imagine a life without Brandon, her high school sweetheart and her rock.<\/p>\n
At the time, Kristen, a speech pathologist, and Brandon, an auto mechanic, had been married for two years.<\/p>\n
Arriving at the hospital, Kristen discovered that Brandon was in the neuro trauma intensive care unit after his car was T-boned by a commercial truck.<\/p>\n
He had suffered a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for two months.
\nDespite doctors warning her that Brandon would be forever changed if he woke up, Kristen clung to the hope that a miracle would happen and he would be the same Brandon.<\/p>\n
But he wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Brandon\u2019s injury was so severe that he required round-the-clock care, leading to his move into a nursing care facility in Texas.
\nKristen described the period as a time of profound sadness and isolation.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery morning I woke up and I was hit by this train of sadness. He was my soulmate, my best friend,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She found herself grieving for a living person, a complex and isolating experience.<\/p>\n
At the time of the accident, Brandon was 23 and Kristen was 24.
\nShe had dreams of having children.<\/p>\n
When it became clear that Brandon would never recover, Kristen made the heart-wrenching decision to file for divorce.<\/p>\n
However, she vowed to take care of Brandon until the day he passed away.<\/p>\n
When she filed papers to become Brandon\u2019s legal guardian, the judge questioned her ability to care for him if she started her own family.<\/p>\n
Kristen assured the judge, \u201cYeah, I\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kristen kept her promise.
\nShe and her new husband, James Armstrong, whom she married in 2015, visit Brandon regularly.<\/p>\n
Their three children also spend time with Brandon.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe bring Brandon to our house every week and we take him out to restaurants,\u201d Kristen shared.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat makes it really beautiful is how much my family has accepted Brandon as a part of their family.\u201d<\/p>\n
James, 36, has formed a special bond with Brandon.
\nIn a TikTok video viewed over 7 million times, James is seen lovingly spoon-feeding Brandon breakfast at a diner, and then helping him from his wheelchair into a car.<\/p>\n
Kristen recalled the first time James met Brandon, \u201cI got up to go to the bathroom and when I came back, James\u2019s arm was around Brandon.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his wedding vows, James promised to love and care for Brandon.
\nAccording to Kristen, he has lived up to his word.<\/p>\n
\u201cJames helps in whatever ways he can. He never complains, he\u2019s never uncomfortable. And I think that\u2019s a huge thing. Some of the stuff that comes out of Brandon\u2019s mouth is a little crazy, and he can\u2019t toilet on his own. But none of that bothers James.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kristen\u2019s two young daughters adore Brandon and often compete over who gets to snuggle with \u201cUncle Brandon\u201d on the couch.
\nHer stepson also shows affection towards Brandon, accompanying Kristen to the nursing home and helping care for him.<\/p>\n
Kristen considers caring for Brandon an honor and says her love for him has only grown.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrandon\u2019s short-term memory is very poor, so he\u2019s not anxious about tomorrow or regretful of yesterday,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve learned from him how to be more present. Even though he can\u2019t communicate well, he\u2019s always teaching us things. He makes life beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a touching TikTok video, Kristen interviewed James about his relationship with Brandon.<\/p>\n
James, visibly emotional, said, \u201cHe\u2019s our family member. He\u2019s like one of our kids, we love him the same. He\u2019s a central part of our family. He\u2019s a central part of our life.\u201d<\/p>\n
This unique family\u2019s story is a testament to the power of love and commitment, transcending traditional boundaries and expectations.<\/p>\n
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kristen Armstrong\u2019s life took an unexpected turn in 2008 when she received a chilling phone call. Her husband, Brandon Smith, had been in a severe car accident…. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1507,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-finance"],"yoast_head":"\n