Lisa Niemi, wife of the late actor Patrick Swayze, faced the unimaginable challenge of moving on after the loss of her beloved husband. However, through dreams and a newfound love, she found peace and happiness again.
Niemi and Swayze first met as teenagers when she took dance lessons from Swayze’s mother. Niemi was captivated by Swayze’s charm and confidence, and their love quickly blossomed. Despite her initial hesitation to settle down, Niemi agreed to marry Swayze, and they vowed to stay together for better or worse.
Their marriage had its ups and downs, with Swayze battling his own personal demons and struggling with alcohol abuse. They separated for a short period but eventually reunited, proving that their love was stronger than any obstacles they faced. However, their joy was short-lived when Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Niemi stayed by Swayze’s side throughout his illness, admiring his courageous spirit as he used his situation to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer. Despite the doctors’ grim prognosis, Swayze’s determination gave them hope. Unfortunately, Swayze lost his battle with cancer on September 14, 2009, leaving Niemi heartbroken.
Dealing with grief was a difficult journey for Niemi. She found solace in texting her late husband, a way to feel his presence and continue their connection. Psychologists call this “magical thinking,” a common way of coping with grief. Riding horses also helped Niemi heal, especially her late husband’s white stallion, which he rode when they renewed their vows.
Years later, Niemi met Patrick DePrisco, and love sparked once again. However, the grief of losing Swayze weighed heavily on her, causing strain in their relationship. After a temporary split, they got back together, and DePrisco proposed on Christmas Eve. Although conflicted, Niemi had a dream about Swayze giving her his blessing to marry DePrisco.
In May 2014, Niemi and DePrisco exchanged vows surrounded by loved ones. Niemi realized that finding new love didn’t mean letting go of her love for Swayze. She sees her ability to love both men as a blessing, and her widowed friends assured her that “love comes from the same well.”
Grief may never fully disappear for Niemi, but she has learned to embrace the good and bad days that come with it. Love, at the core of her grief, brings comfort and joy. Niemi is grateful for the love she still has to give and looks forward to a bright future with DePrisco by her side.
