Car Crash Leads Couple to Renew Vows

Aug. 11 -- Laura and Joel Horning were hunting for a new house for their family of five in Wells, Maine, when the future they were so carefully planning was knocked off course on the way home.

Another car struck theirs in a devastating accident. Laura was thrown so far from the car that Joel Horning couldn't find her at first. When he did, he dragged her back to the car, ignoring his own punctured lung, broken clavicle and pelvis. But Laura Horning's injuries were even worse. She had severe head trauma.

"We thought she was going to die," said her daughter, Sarah Horning, 10.

At first, Laura Horning couldn't talk or walk, and she had no memories of Joel and their three children. Slowly, she began to talk. Next, she started walking, haltingly. Then, some memories started to return.

But one treasured memory was lost: her wedding to Joel.

"Some things haven't come back, like the wedding," Laura said.

Joel, who knew how close he came to losing his wife, was determined to give his bride the wedding of her dreams — a wedding by the sea.

The couple were first married on March 14, 1997, in the middle of a snowstorm, in their home. There were votive candles lighting up the house as a justice of the peace married them. This time, they wanted to have the wedding they dreamed of, Joel Horning said.

"I vowed to make her dream wedding dream come true," Joel said.

After eight months of rehabilitation, during which they both lost their jobs and their home to pay bills, Laura and Joel joyously renewed their vows. This time it was the wedding of Laura's dreams, with their children at their side.

On a picture perfect day, surrounded by their friends and family, Joel watched as his beautiful bride Laura walked down the aisle, something doctors were unsure she would ever be able to do.

"I got spoiled that day," Laura said. "I got my hair done, my makeup done and I arrived with bells on."

Laura, who still has some trouble walking, wore sneakers that had bells attached to the laces when she marched down the isle at St. Ann's, a stone church in Kennebunkport, Maine.