Happily Ever After: ER Serves as Wedding Chapel for Mishawaka Couple

Newly married couple, Marvin and Rachelle L. Chalk Hooker, along with ER nurse Barbara Ernsberger and Memorial chaplain Sarah Samson

For Marvin Hooker and Rachelle L. Chalk, it didn’t matter where they got married on Nov. 1, just so long as they did. And they proved it Tuesday by becoming what is believed to be the first couple ever married inside Memorial Hospital’s ER.

As you could imagine, the ER wasn’t their first choice of wedding venue, but love has a mysterious way of working.

Rachelle, 62, who uses a walker to get around, decided to have some bruises checked out at the hospital at the advice of her home health aide. She knew the visit was necessary, considering she was still sore from a fall Saturday inside her home.

The only problem was Marvin and Rachelle had planned to go to the courthouse to get married the very same day.

Knowing her health took priority, they instead, with wedding license and rings in hand, drove to Memorial Hospital of South Bend where Rachelle was admitted for tests and observation. And yet, love finds a way to conquer all –– in sickness or in health.

Meant For Each Other

It was virtually love at the first sight when Marvin, 71, a widow and father of two children, and Rachelle, divorced with three children and eight grandchildren, met eight years earlier in Three Rivers, Michigan.

“He was in a suit looking so handsome. Everything just fell into place,” she recalls. “The Lord brought us together.”

And to Marvin’s surprise and delight, it was Rachelle who kissed him first.

“When she kissed me, I knew she was the one for me. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we love each other,” he says with a smile at his bride.

A year later, the two were engaged and have been nearly inseparable ever since.

Special Kind of Wedding

While laying in a bed in the ER, Rachelle kept thinking she was ready to marry Marvin, and she didn’t want to wait another minute –– literally.

Rachelle asked her nurse, Barbara Ernsberger, RN, if she and Marvin could get married right there, right then.

“I thought she was joking,” says Barbara. But seeing how much they cared about each other, she told them, ‘If I can make this wedding happen for you, I will.’”

And she did! Barbara immediately contacted Memorial chaplain Sarah Samson, while other nurses hustled to the hospital gift shop to buy a bouquet of flowers (Chris Burlingame, ER manager) and cupcakes (Jaime Hensley, RN) for the ceremony.

Within minutes, Sarah had made her way to the ER. Barbara stood in as both bridesmaid and best man at the impromptu wedding in patient room 19.

The newly married couple felt so grateful toward the ER staff for their efforts.

“The staff made it the most special kind of wedding a woman could ask for,” says Rachelle, beaming.

“It was pretty exciting,” says Barbara. “I just tried to help them.”

Rachelle was discharged Tuesday afternoon. She and Marvin planned to celebrate dinner at a hibachi restaurant with immediate family. There are plans for a more traditional family celebration in the weeks ahead, but no immediate plans for a honeymoon.

First thing is first –– Rachelle’s bruises from the fall need to heal. But she knows well that in sickness and in health, she has Marvin, now her husband, right by her side.

“He has always been there for me during my surgeries. He is the most wonderful man that God could have given me.”

Check out the news story here: http://www.wndu.com/content/news/Couple-becomes-first-to-be-married-in-ER-of-Memorial-Hospital-399573291.html