Resident, fiancé tie the knot at Temiskaming Lodge
Friday, July 6, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
In a flower-adorned gazebo one recent sunny afternoon, a resident and her fiancé exchanged wedding vows at Temiskaming Lodge.

Resident Nicole Bujold, 41, and Lucien Bujold, 77, were married June 9 with the support of family members, co-residents and staff who joined in on the celebration.

“I married the best woman on earth,” says Lucien, who lives nearby the nursing home, tells The Morning Report.

He says he was surprised by staff members’ and volunteers’ attention to detail that made the day even more special. “I wasn’t expecting it,” says Lucien. “It was really nice.”

Staff at the home, with life enrichment co-ordinator Kathy Ruddy taking charge, prepared invitations and wedding favours, arranged for a cake, decorated the gazebo and worked with the nutritional care department to prepare refreshments, fruit, and cheese and crackers.

Close to 80 people attended the wedding at the Haileybury long-term care home. Temiskaming Lodge’s chaplain performed the service. Costs were covered in part by donations and also from Jarlette Health Services’ Make-a-Wish Foundation, which helps grant residents’ wishes.

“It was something (Nicole) wished would happen,” says Kathy Demarce, resident and family services co-ordinator at Temiskaming Lodge.

She notes it was the first wedding the home has ever organized. Plans began early in 2007.

“It was really, really neat. We all participated as much as we could.”

Nicole wore a wedding dress and veil which was made by volunteers. She too, says she was surprised by the extra touches.

“It went fantastic,” says Nicole about the wedding.

If she had to choose a favourite moment, it would be her brother giving her away.

Nicole and Lucien met about 10 years ago. Nicole says she’s attracted to Lucien’s handsome looks and big heart.

“I really love Lucien,” she says. While she lives at the long-term care home, she stays with Lucien on the weekends. “That’s part of my home too,” she says of her husband’s place.

Lucien says it was love at first sight when he met Nicole. “I was hooked. I fell in love with her right away.”