Life-Altering Car Crash: A Love Story
Back in 2008, Kris Armstrong found herself in a life-changing moment. While driving between her two jobs, she received a call that would forever alter her world. The voice on the other end of the line urged her to pull over, and with a sinking feeling, she obliged. Little did she know that the news she was about to receive would shatter her heart.
The caller delivered the devastating news that her beloved husband, Brandon Smith, had been involved in a horrific car crash. Stricken with fear and uncertainty, Kris was left in the dark about Brandon's condition. "They were unable to tell me if he was alive or not," she recalled in an interview with CBS News. "By the time they called me, it had already been, like, seven hours since the accident."
Kris and Brandon had tied the knot just two years prior, both at the tender age of 21. Their love story began in high school, where they first crossed paths as teenagers. Their dreams of building a future together, complete with a family, seemed within reach.
However, fate had other plans in store for them. When Kris arrived at the hospital, she discovered that Brandon had fallen into a coma. The man she knew and loved had vanished, replaced by a person in need of constant care. The accident had left him with a severe traumatic brain injury, forever altering the course of their lives.
"When someone has a severe traumatic brain injury in a big way, you lose that person, but you gain somebody new," Kris reflected. "And it took me a long time to realize that."
Woman Divorces Husband to Become Legal Guardian
After facing a difficult decision, Sarah Armstrong turned to her faith and sought guidance from God. She realized that having a family with her husband, Brandon, would be impossible due to his health condition. However, she was determined to fulfill her vows of being with him in sickness and health.
Armstrong made the heartbreaking decision to divorce Brandon in order to become his legal guardian. She knew that she was the best person to take care of him and took on the responsibility of managing his appointments, healthcare, and finances.
Despite the challenges, Armstrong remained dedicated to her commitment. When asked by the judge about her future plans, she assured that nothing would change. She continued to support Brandon even after meeting James Armstrong and starting a family with him.
Love and Commitment Transcend Boundaries
Sarah Armstrong's story is a testament to the power of love and commitment. When faced with the difficult decision of divorcing her husband, Brandon, in order to become his legal guardian, she turned to her faith for guidance.
Armstrong took on the responsibility of managing Brandon's appointments, healthcare, and finances, fulfilling her vows of being with him in sickness and health. She showed the court that she was the best person to take care of him.
Despite the challenges, Armstrong remained dedicated to her commitment. She assured the judge that nothing would change, even if she had a family someday. Her love for Brandon remained unwavering.
I have a former husband that I take care of and he's a part of my life and I realize that's a lot," she recalled telling him. "But if you're interested in dating me, that comes with the territory."
"It didn't bother me at all," James said. "It intrigued me more, because I knew that Kris had a good heart."
When Brandon and James met for the first time, Kris recalled Brandon asking James if he wanted to grab a beer. That sparked hope for her budding relationship.
"Of course, that made me happy." she said. "Brandon being at peace and being OK with being a part of our family the way it is is super important."
A year later, Kris and James were married and Brandon had a new protector. More than a decade after his accident, the love for Brandon has only grown with the couple's young children, who delight in the time spent with their "Uncle Brandon."
"They love to snuggle with him on the couch when he's hanging out," said Armstrong. "There's a lot of love — a lot of love there."
It's an unconditional love that other people have been moved by. When Armstrong first started sharing their family's story on TikTok, it went viral — generating millions of views.
We have been living out this unique family situation for about 15 years," she expressed. "And what I have discovered is that when I meet new people and share my story, it becomes a way to connect. It's a way to share hope."
"After his brain injury, Brandon's world became very limited, but now it is expanding again," she added.
