Mirror photo by Walt Frank / Sean Gray (left) and Ian Gray stand behind their mother, Rebecca Kleinfelter, after her marriage to Timothy Wilson on Sunday at Cambria Care Center in Ebensburg.

EBENSBURG — Love sometimes turns up where you don’t expect it.

That’s been the case at Cambria Care Center, a personal care home in Ebensburg.

On Sunday, two residents — Rebecca Kleinfelter, 59, and Timothy Wilson, 48 — were united in marriage.

Wilson, decked out in a black suit, gray vest and pink bow tie, was sitting in his wheelchair, while Kleinfelter, dressed in a white gown, was lying in a reclining wheelchair.

The event marked the first wedding in the seven years of the personal care home, said Karen Little, activities director.

“We were so excited. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room,” Little said.

The service was performed by Pastor David O’Hara of the Revloc Presbyterian Church, who had been visiting the couple for more than a year.

The couple met two years and three months ago in

the lounge and became friends.

“I started talking to her and asked her for a courtship, and she said she would love that,” said Tim, a native of Altoona. “I never imagined I would get married this late in life. When I met Becky, I knew that that would turn around.”

“He is a great guy. When he asked me for a date, I didn’t hesitate,” said Becky, originally from Zelienople.

O’Hara called it an unusual wedding.

“This is a nontraditional wedding. A wedding can be held outside a church; all you need is the presence of loved ones and God,” O’Hara said. “This shows what marriage is all about. They are always concerned about each other. It is not just a physical relationship but an emotional relationship.”

“You two have a special connection. You have what true love is all about. You are a symbol for all of us,” O’Hara said.

Becky’s sons Ian Gray and Sean Gray were groomsmen for the wedding.

“Only my mother could pull this off. Most people in a nursing home are dealing with depression. She found a guy and fell in love and got married. Only my romantic mother could do this,” Ian Gray said.

“I hope it lets people know to never give up,” Sean Gray said.

Mark Shields of Sinking Valley, Becky’s brother, was happy for his sister, who has myotonic dystrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy.

“There were fears over the past five years she was in ICU, and we weren’t sure if she would survive. She is astonishingly resilient. I think it is amazing where love can turn up. This is not a place I thought it would turn up,” Shields said.

Cindy Hodges served as matron of honor, and Bud Wilson, Tim’s brother, was best man.

About 30 family members, friends, residents and staff attended the wedding.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.