One family's journey of love and devotion through tragedy

David Begnaud introduces us to the Armstrong family, whose story of unwavering love and commitment in the face of adversity brings new meaning to the marital vow "in sickness and in health."
Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings" co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.
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[@maildeliverysubsystemmaile9178]

Man. This may be one of the top 5 most powerful stories I’ve seen…this reporter is a GIFT that keeps on giving. In a world of so much negativity, THIS is priceless. ❤

[@LisaLisa-2023]

I agree... I have never seen anything like this before, and I will always remember it. The Armstrong family is priceless.

[@vernelledouglas1801]

Mr. Armstrong is quite a human being. What a group of loving people!

[@faciasherman3655]

This is what you call love! I wish this family all God’s continue blessings.

[@virginiaboone8163]

This is the most beautiful story I have ever witnessed. Crying tears of sadness & happiness.

[@shelly8965luv]

Same

[@abcabcabc2310]

she is the one person he recognises always😭 ... im crying big ugly tears soo heartbreakingly beautiful

[@NancyMitchell1965]

David brings us the best stories! Care-giving is so hard and we need to celebrate those who do it so well.

[@teresaj1937]

I saw this story this morning. This has got to be the most unselfish thing that I've ever witnessed in humanity. Beautiful.......

[@eea1119]

It’s nice to see there are still good people in this world

[@shelly8965luv]

This story bought me to tears❤ Her husband is an amazing man.

[@robynrains7252]

Watching David’s stories at work is never a good idea 🥲 as I usually end up in tears 😊🥲 thanks David another great one!!

[@carolcarranza3496]

This is really beautiful, a woman caring for her ex husband after a tragic accident is very noble. I don't know anyone who would be able to do that. These two are absolute angels and it's wonderful to see how two people are willing to go this far to care for Brandon

[@maritzadillingham4008]

Wow! This is unconditional love for both sides! This is so beautiful and hard and challenging. They are doing it ! God bless ! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@shawnthompson940]

Man listen....the power of love will always shatter what you think possible. ❤

[@hillaryroberts3623]

A loving example for us all. 🙏❤

[@MsCookiemac]

Absolutely beautiful .unselfish people..May God bless!

[@aliboritz3011]

What a wonderful story

[@marybethclifford5564]

Blessings to this family - what a beautiful example they set for their lovely daughters.

[@tiagocarlotto]

Beautiful LOVE STORY ❤

[@marylynnacee4062]

What an absolutely incredible & beautiful story! Thank you for bringing it to us David!❤

[@tigerorchid67]

I'm balling my eyes out! What a beautiful story.

[@paayalsridhar1819]

I have no words.. what a beautiful family. We can learn so much from each of them! ❤❤❤

[@viktorijaorourke8847]

David Begnaud tells the stories like no other

[@siobhanoconnor8629]

Wow. This is beyond-words-beautiful. This is also a beyond-earthly love… these folks will slip right up to heaven. God bless them all!

[@ngocdiemnguyen3914]

Such beautiful people inside out. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I know what love is, and all three adults are love.

[@grandmother102645]

This story showed me there are still good people who demonstrate selfless love toward one another. Thank you CBS.

[@christycunningham4517]

Mr. Armstrong and Kristin, he is so in love with her because she loved Brandon so much. She would care for those she loves. Crying 💚✊🏾💯

[@bananabanana2595]

Beautiful special people ❤️

[@user-ox4nw3fi4i]

I' did not want too cry, can't help "IT"😫😩🙏

[@anasloss8423]

Awesome story. God bless you 💝

[@hedwigkoenig7441]

One special man ❤

[@lisatrottier9093]

She is truly an angel

[@puekisilivaoefungavaikoniu3670]

Can't stop my tears....what are loving stories...

[@suegundisalvus1152]

I am also profoundly moved by this. God bless them!!

[@user-sz4uf6bf6u]

Wow. Just wow.

[@laz7267]

What amazing people. What a wonderful story.

[@noraalbright777]

What a beautiful story!! Simply beautiful!! Thank u both for what ur doing!!

[@chuku531]

He is a good/real man. God bless your entire family.

[@92Tulips]

This is so awesome and sending many good wishes and blessings, wow😊

[@angelaalston971]

For those who asked about the divorce. Her ex-husband would not get the financial state care required to keep him healthy safe and off the streets. If she did not divorce him.

[@user-pk5lc8ek5w]

God Bless you all ❤️🙏🙏🙏

[@rebeccadarko8434]

I had to share! This is love

[@terryrussell-dn2is]

Incredible!!❤

[@leahsundvall5894]

Just WOW.

[@lichi1244eva]

Wow. What an incredible story. Amazing family ❤

[@Imonetoo216]

I needed this affirmation that there are good people in the world-this is so, so powerful, beautiful and a lesson in what love really looks like. Thank you!

[@debbiecooper1677]

what a wonderful family. bless them and best wishes

[@Al-jg8hx]

What a women ! I'm in admiration . I wish one day a women like that will be in my life. Her new husban is the same soul . Wonderfull people .

[@soramame7528]

True inspiration.

[@tanisha7789]

This family is amazing

[@sinavaitululeupolu1455]

Beautiful family. Gb her n husband for taking care of Brandon

[@CheriDawn]

Angels, definitely angels.

[@westannaharveybobbitt4949]

So sweet.

[@patmcraig45]

A beautiful story ❤

[@annb9736]

God Blessed them All

[@koraspeaks1078]

Wow amazing ❤

[@wildoceanappaloosawomangay2535]

I love you all 💚

[@terrifromm5085]

This story reinforces my faith in humanity and true love. I am smiling and this family is the definition of utter devotion.

[@briannastultz1468]

I’m not crying

[@sherrykao978]

That’s love

[@amitprakashify]

Such graciousness and magnanimity is rare in today's times!

[@lukose2007]

I hope that the differently abled (disabled ) man gets better with modern medicine . May God bless this new family who has become guardian .

[@nlp6082]

Wow! CBS this appears to top any story you’ve told. An awesome story of love ❤.

[@louannespada3035]

When Angela Walk Amongst Us...❤

[@CC-kl4nh]

Amazing family. Amazing woman. I am already personally so emotionally burnt out from this world. There are no words for her and her husband. Divorce is not the end of the world. So much negativity in this world. It is so difficult to be a caregiver.

[@LisaLisa-2023]

I can't believe what miracles of Love this family brings... This is Love in the deepest form. James Armstrong, you are indeed a very exceptional human being. Thank you, David, I will never forget this interview.

[@specialk4762]

Bless them all!

[@Gmadiva55]

I thought my husband who’s my high school sweetheart & we have been married for 47 years, loved me this man AGAPE LOVES HIS WIFE‼️

[@samanthasamantha1830]

♥♥♥

[@julianameyer7186]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@pipermonte8780]

😢😢❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@hat8870]

This is God❤

[@michaelmaps2004]

They look like they could be brothers

[@edufehndula6621]

James is Jesus in our time. I am speechless

[@Noneofyourbizniz1]

What happened to “thru sickness and health.. till death do us part?”

[@kathycrone1258]

Til you walk in their shoe's maybe it's not to comment. Their compassion & love goes beyond word's. I think GOD sees the bigger picture you don't. GOD bless them & keep them.

[@Rob774]

Methinks people are so caught up in the happy "glo" feeling... that they skip over the fact that she divorced her ex, just to make babies with the new one. Then circles back to care for the ex, so he gets to see the children that he himself couldn't conceive with her. That must be torture from his perspecrive.

[@gladysgarcia1232]

He does not have other family members that could help?😢

[@dz7a756]

They may not be equipped to take care of him. Not all people can care for someone like this...not even a little bit. Be well and be at peace.

[@cornyconnie.]

Her NEW husband cares for/ about him more than she truly does!

[@sjbenson5618]

I can’t believe this new husband. Why is he accepting this weird situation? He think it’s me or your ex husband! I’m not gonna live with your ex with my children around, But this new husband is rare and incredible

[@mischa6688]

I feel like situations like this should not be “glorified.” It is kind yes, but it is in my opinion, horrible for Brandon. I wish she just let him be taken cared of by other family members rather than maybe, easing her guilt of giving up on him and choosing her happiness with another man. I am not judging though since this is a tough call, but yeah, it feels like a pity/conscience party so she won’t feel bad for leaving him behind after becoming vegetative. And Brandon still remembers her as his wife, sometimes we assume things like he is happy that she is taking care of him just to fit our narrative that it is the best for him, when he doesn’t have any choice and mental capacity to choose or anything.

[@mmjkk]

Do you not think if he had other family who were ready and able to take care of him that she would let them? She loves Brandon, but he’s essentially gone. He physically isn’t in the house because he’s in a nursing home. But she’s doing her best to not abandon him in sickness (as they probably vowed to do) while still recognising that they cannot have a normal marriage now. I would like to think that Brandon loves the fact that he still gets to be around her even though he can’t enjoy the marriage they thought they’d have. Definitely better than never seeing her again.

[@Rob774]

​@@mmjkkthis scenario is worse! Now he gets to see her with her new family, and the new man who she made babies with because he could no longer perform. This is unimaginable cruelty. Do she close the door when her and her husband have a 'nooner' or do they let him listen in?🙄

[@dolbra4]

What were the grounds for divorce here? She didn't remember the vows, "through sickness and in health"... She should take care of him, yes. But she should have stayed married to him.

[@arieslady021]

FINALLY!!!!! Thank you for saying this. I thought I was the only one who had this mind set.

[@tyronzasmith3735]

She was young, you have to give her some grace.

[@cosettel9290]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing and struggling with this one. I don’t doubt it was difficult for her and she was young and all that, but she took a vow. I’m more inspired of the story that inspired the movie 50 first dates. The husband stayed with his wife, who had severe brain trauma, even though she kept forgetting who he was and everything every 2 hours or something like that.

[@allegrap1054]

I was looking for this comment

[@joejohnsonenterprisesllc9184]

I don’t get this one. In my mind and how marriage is supposed to go, she was SUPPOSED to stay with him instead of divorcing him. The vows were just thrown out the window just so SHE could live the life, SHE wanted. I bet Brandon is going through hell inside. There is NO MAN I know that would approve of his wife being with another man and it being thrown in his face, regardless of his mental or physical condition. The sad part for Brandon is, there was no grounds for divorce because what she is doing now, is what she was SUPPOSED to do as his WIFE. This should have instead been a story like the movie “The Notebook” 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@cornyconnie.]

He looks so sad in the "family" Christmas photo (taken solely for the purpose of "renewing guardianship) Man, how would SHE feel if the roles were reversed!?! This is sad!!! Poor guy! 😔

[@allegrap1054]

Imagine if this was a man that had done this with his wife. I wonder if it would be viewed as positively?

[@JohnSmith-wi4xo]

I guess I don’t understand the point of divorcing only to then become his guardian immediately after. Is she using him now for the money she receives being his guardian, and then the social security she’ll get when he dies? Where are his parents? Even if he can’t recall her being his former wife, isn’t it strange to her to have her ex often around her current husband? Where are his parents? This just feels so fishy to me, I don’t know.

[@Feed_the_Kitty_a_Hotdog]

If he’s a nursing home patient all his SSI goes to the NH, and the residents can only keep less then $120 of it a month, and she wouldn’t be receiving SSI after his death because those kids aren’t his and they weren’t married long enough to even apply for ex benefits either. She divorced him because she wanted to have children and a husband because he obviously cannot consent to any of that with his TBI being that severe and needing a FT caregiver. Not everyone can handle being a guardian to someone that severely impaired. Often times states give someone with no family members willing to do it state appointed guardians.

[@KrolockTepes]

As already said, she's not getting any of his money.

[@mischa6688]

I am one of the few who actually find their setup weird and I’ve already commented in one of the posts.Yes, this gesture may seem kind but his ex-husband’s long-term memory is intact so in reality, he remembers her and possibly remembers they were married and to he might look like he is in a vegetative state but I feel for him emotionally and psychologically, to see your wife being with somebody else because she wanted kids and you cannot give her that anymore. I am not judging though but if I were Brandon, I’d prefer to be taken cared of by anyone but my ex-wife and his husband. Maybe she took him to be his guardian to ease some of her guilt of giving up on him and choosing her own happiness.

[@kathycrone1258]

Yes, each negative remark is being judgemental. 😢 When your not in her circumstances easy to remark.

[@Rob774]

​@@kathycrone1258And we can easily say ever overly positive remark screams of naivety. This video is made to cast.her as this glowing hero who made the ultimate sacrifice by dumping her husband who because no fault of his own got messed up. But... she wanted a family, so her desires trumped his. Its her guilt that made her circle back and take care of him.

[@lisah.07]

🥺🥲♥️👏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻♥️

[@cornyconnie.]

AND started a tiktok channel to make money off from his suffering This woman has no heart

[@callie9343]

she's getting a caretaker paycheck I'm sure That's why they keep him

[@jjjhytnzblpinyourarea5823]

That money with the care of sick people throughout life Many people would choose to live their own life. It is normal to receive money. But must admit that the mind of both is really unique. How many people will do this? When Brandon had an accident, he was young And he had no one in life.

[@wendycrosby419]

Omg! No WORDS! They are selfless people! I know they will receive their reward here on earth and in heaven! 😍🫶🏽🙏🏾❤️‍🩹☝🏽

[@bettydavis7904]

💓💓💓💓💓💓💓