Love after loss can feel impossible, but Michelle and Scott Ellermets’ story shows that even in the darkest times, hope can shine through. Both having lost their long-time spouses of 20+ years in 2023, the couple first met in a grief group for widows and widowers. What started as a friendship quickly blossomed into a deeper connection, with the two discovering they shared similar values, interests, and faith.
From Heartbreak to Healing
Love After Loss
Michelle lost her husband, Jonathan, in January 2023 after 23 years of marriage. Scott faced his own heartbreak just months later when his wife, Lisa, passed away in June, ending their 29 years together. Both were devastated and after their profound losses, they each turned to a local grief group in search of solace. As it turns out, Michelle was also Facebook friends with Scott’s sister. Talk about connections!
Neither expected to find love again, but as they shared their experiences of loss, they slowly became each other’s source of comfort. Their friendship bloomed into romance, and within a year of meeting, Scott and Michelle decided to tie the knot, celebrating not just a new beginning but the resilience of the human spirit.
“Each time we met up to hang out, it was like I learned more about him that intrigued me,” Michelle Ellermets says.
A Blessing From Beyond?
On their wedding day, September 7, 2024, at the Outer Banks in North Carolina, the couple experienced something extraordinary. After a day of relentless rain, right before they exchanged vows, the clouds cleared, and a double rainbow appeared in the sky. For Michelle and Scott, this was no coincidence—it was a sign from their late spouses. The rainbow, a symbol of hope and connection, felt like a blessing as if their late partners were giving them their approval to move forward in love.
The touching moment was captured by their photographer and went viral, with millions on TikTok commenting on how it seemed like a sign from above.
Many shared similar experiences of seeing rainbows or special moments during weddings, feeling that those they had lost were with them in spirit.
A Wedding With A Message
For Michelle and Scott, their wedding was not just a celebration of their love, but also a reminder that life, even after immense loss, can offer joy again. Their story is an inspiring testament to resilience, healing, and the belief that love can come into your life when you least expect it. Their message? “Don’t take your days for granted.”
@chelseaschaefer24I will never get over this day 🥹🌈♬ To Build A Home – The Cinematic Orchestra & Patrick Watson
This beautiful love story reminds us that life is full of surprises, and sometimes, those we’ve lost may still be watching over us, sending their love in unexpected ways.
Hope For The Future
Michelle and Scott’s story isn’t just about recovering from loss, but about the power of connection and the courage to embrace love once again, even after immense grief. Scott and Michelle’s journey from heartbreak to happiness is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always hope. Their wedding day, marked by the double rainbow, became a symbol of that hope—a promise that love can find a way, even through the storm, literally.
Blended Family For The Win
One of the things the couple discovered about each other, was their spouses were both single parents. Michelle’s late husband was father to a 6-year-old whom she helped raise, while Scott’s late wife had a 5-year-old when they got married.
Now their blended family consists of seven kids, three grandkids, and eight dogs.
Rainbows are often seen as powerful symbols of hope, renewal, and connection between the earthly and the divine. They appear after storms, representing the promise of brighter days ahead. I can’t think of a more perfect symbol for this couple.
