When Lisa Niemi’s beloved husband, Patrick Swayze, passed away, she found herself lost and unsure of how to move forward. After spending decades with her “angel,” she couldn’t imagine life without him. However, in the years that followed, Patrick appeared to her in dreams and gave his blessing for her second marriage.
A Love Story That Spanned Decades
Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi first met as teenagers when Niemi took dance lessons from Swayze’s mother. Niemi was immediately struck by Swayze’s buff physique, tan skin, and dazzling smile. Despite her shyness, she couldn’t help but be drawn to his confidence and popularity.
Their love blossomed quickly, but Niemi had dreams of traveling and dancing before settling down. They moved into a tiny apartment in New York City, but when Swayze brought up the topic of marriage, Niemi hesitated. She tried to postpone the idea, suggesting they wait until the following fall. Disappointed, Swayze made a bold proposal:
“If we’re going to do it, let’s do it right away. Like next month. What do you think?”
After some convincing, Niemi agreed, and in 1975, they walked down the aisle. They vowed to stay together until death parted them, with the ceremony conducted by a family friend who was known for his crazy sense of humor.
Love Amidst Challenges
As the years passed, the couple affectionately reminisced about their tiny New York apartment while living in their renovated Los Angeles ranch home. Niemi found that everything came alive when she looked into Swayze’s eyes. However, their marriage was far from perfect, and they faced difficulties due to Swayze’s personal demons and struggles with alcohol abuse. This eventually led to a temporary separation.
But their love proved stronger, and they reconciled after a short time apart. Their happiness was short-lived when they received devastating news. Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and their lives were forever changed.
Facing the Challenge Together
During Swayze’s illness, Niemi never left his side. She cherished every day they spent together and considered it a victory. Swayze faced his illness with incredible bravery, using his own journey to raise awareness and help others battling pancreatic cancer.
Niemi recalled a poignant moment on their New Mexico ranch when Swayze looked into her eyes and declared, “I want to live.” He acknowledged that everyone fighting against this disease shares the same determination to survive and spare their loved ones from pain and fear. Facing such a dire diagnosis brought out a side of Swayze that he had always wanted to embrace – one that was courageous, humble, determined, and strong.
A Heartbreaking Farewell
Although doctors initially offered a glimmer of hope, Swayze’s condition deteriorated over time. Niemi continued to support him, never leaving his side. On the morning of September 14, 2009, as his wife sat by his side, Patrick Swayze took his last breath. The disease had taken him away after just 22 months.
The world mourned the loss of an iconic actor, and Niemi experienced deep grief as she said goodbye to her friend, lover, and husband. At Swayze’s funeral, she was overwhelmed by the realization that he had become her “angel.”
Navigating the Depths of Grief
Even a year after his passing, Niemi found herself texting her late husband. It may seem unusual, but psychologists recognize this behavior as a way of coping with grief. It’s referred to as magical thinking – a means of feeling a sense of connection and presence. Niemi would text Swayze when she traveled, shedding tears as she typed the three powerful words: “I love you.”
Months later, Niemi turned to horseback riding as a means of healing. Riding Swayze’s cherished white stallion, she found solace and made peace with her pain. She acknowledged that grief doesn’t simply fade away; it leaves a mark that may diminish but resurfaces from time to time. Every day is taken as it comes, with gratitude for the peaceful moments.
A Dream of Blessing
Overcoming grief proved to be a complicated journey for Niemi, and falling in love again felt almost impossible. But then she met a man named Patrick DePrisco through mutual friends. Despite her reservations, she couldn’t resist the jeweler’s charm and found herself falling in love once more. Love, however, brought conflicting emotions:
“Being paralyzed, like some kind of speared fish, floating helplessly after a powerful sedative.”
Their relationship faced challenges, including the strain of a long-distance romance. They briefly split in 2013, and Niemi cried for hours at the thought of losing another love. Fortunately, they reconciled and continued dating. On Christmas Eve of the same year, DePrisco proposed on bended knee.
Finding Love Again
As Niemi considered DePrisco’s proposal, she grappled with conflicting emotions. She still loved Swayze deeply and wasn’t sure if she was ready to commit to someone else. Yet, DePrisco understood and reassured her:
“I know you still love Patrick, and I love you. How could I not marry this man?”
A month before their wedding, Niemi had a dream about Swayze. In this dream, he seemed to give his blessing and let her know it was okay to move forward. With this newfound sense of peace, she and DePrisco exchanged vows in May 2014, surrounded by loved ones. Niemi realized that finding love again didn’t diminish her love for Swayze; it simply meant there was still love to give. Both she and DePrisco feel blessed to have each other.
While the journey through grief was filled with pain, Niemi found comfort in knowing that love is at the heart of it all. Grief may have its ups and downs, but it’s love that brings solace and carries her through. Niemi cherishes her marriage to DePrisco and envisions a future filled with happiness.
