The Man Who Looks After His Wife's Ex

For him and his bride, "in sickness and in health" meant something really special

- Tom Hallman Jr.

THE YOUNG COUPLE rushed around their home that Wednesday morning, concentrating on on the unfolding day, looking forward, the way they'd always navigated life and love together.

Kris Lehmer and Brandon Smith, then in their early 20s, were a throwback to a more innocent time. They had met at a Houston summer choir camp.

Born four months apart, he was 15 and she 16 at the time. She thought he was cute. Camp gossip said he had a crush.

Emboldened, Kris called Brandon and invited him to the roller skating rink. Back in school, they wrote notes to each other and talked seriously about marriage, convinced they were soulmates. During those high school years, they went skiing, to the zoo and to the science museum. Kris told Brandon he was the first person she trusted to tell her feelings, fears and dreams to.

Brandon said Kris brought out the best in him.

After high school, Kris attended college an hour away. One night, she heard a knock, opened the door and found Brandon holding flowers. He'd driven all the way to surprise her with a date night. A couple of years later, in 2006, they married when they were both 21, and they kept on moving forward together.

By the time Kris turned 24, she had graduated from college with a degree in psychology and art history and held two jobs. At 23, Brandon was taking classes for an IT career while working as a mechanic at a car dealership.

Kris left their house first that Wednesday in November 2008. She kissed Brandon and said she loved him.

Brandon kissed her and said he loved her. It was the last time they'd connect in such a simple, pure and tender way.

KRIS'S DAY STARTED off in typical fashion. She drove to her father's company, where she worked as an administrator. After a few hours, she left for her second job as a docent at the art museum. Her mother stopped by, and they spent an hour checking out a new exhibit before driving in separate cars back to her father's place.