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While traveling between her two jobs in 2008, Kris Armstrong received news that would change her life: her husband, Brandon Smith, had been involved in a terrible auto accident. She had only been married to Brandon for two years at the time, making her only twenty-three. Doctors fighting to rescue him cast a shadow of doubt on their hopes to start a family.
As Kris arrived at the hospital, Brandon had become unconscious. When he awoke two months later, the man she had known was no longer there. He needed round-the-clock care due to post-traumatic amnesia. “When someone has a severe traumatic brain injury, you lose that person, but you gain someone new,” she said.
Kris looked to God for direction as she made her way through this new reality. Her relationship with Brandon had changed significantly, but she still had dreams of starting a family. She thought about it for a long time before making the painful decision to file for divorce and take on the role of legal guardian for him. Her words, “I took my vows seriously,” “I didn’t stay married to him, but I wanted to take care of him.”
She managed his finances and health services, went to appointments, and fought for his care with unwavering determination. A judge questioned her about how she would manage a future family during a court appearance. Kris reassured her that her devotion to Brandon wouldn’t alter.
Kris was honest about her circumstances when she first met James Armstrong in 2014. “I told him about my former husband and how it was a part of my life,” she said. James saw through her compassion and was intrigued rather than put off.
An important turning point came when James and Brandon met for the first time. Brandon went so far as to invite James over for a beer, which delighted Kris. After being married a year later, Kris and James raised a happy family, with their kids adoring their time spent with “Uncle Brandon.”
When Kris posted their touching family tale on TikTok, it became viral and received millions of views. “We’ve been living this unique family situation for about 15 years,” she stated, highlighting the significance of their narrative and the promise it offers. “Brandon’s world got very small after his injury, but it has grown bigger again.
