Love in the time of the coronavirus: Two widowed pastors tie the knot in their front yard

After Bob Vizthum and Layne Miller’s original plans for a May wedding fell through due to coronavirus-related cancellations and guidelines for social distancing, the two pastors decided on a different way to celebrate their love.

They live-streamed a small, front-yard ceremony for hundreds of friends and families to watch on Facebook.

"We had no idea what to expect," Layne said. "Bob calculated that 16 states and two countries were watching."

For the couple, this was just the way for them spread some positivity to their loved ones, near and far.

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A love story years in the making

Layne and Bob, both 62, were both previously married but had lost their spouses to cancer between 2016 and 2017. They shared each other's sorrow. 

But the two also shared a passion for fellowship and knew of each other through ministry. Bob served as a pastor in York for 16 years and Layne worked at two different United Methodist churches during that same time.

The two often heard of each other, but only met in person on March 10, 2018, at a ministry event where Layne was preparing to become a pastor.

"It was the first time we spoke, expressing our sympathy for one another’s loss," Layne said. "A little spark was ignited."

That June, Layne moved to Chambersburg and became pastor of Park Avenue United Methodist Church.

Almost a year later, the pair had the opportunity to get to know each other on a personal level during an annual conference in Hershey.

"We talked and laughed and sang and shared a meal or two, really enjoying each other’s company," Layne said. 

But just two weeks later, Bob was moved to Syracuse, New York, to become the pastor of Liverpool First United Methodist Church. He was “on loan” from Pennsylvania, according to Layne.

The distance wasn't an obstacle and that summer, Bob traveled nearly six hours to Chambersburg for their "first date" during Chambersburg's biggest summer festival, ChambersFest.

Despite the hours between them, Layne and Bob communicated daily through phone calls, text messages, FaceTime and even video chatting through the app Marco Polo.

"We realize now we should have invested in Marco Polo," Layne joked. "I’m quite sure we were their number one user."

The couple became engaged on Sept. 27 at Sight and Sound Theater, in Lancaster.

The first thing they did was call their five adult children to get plans rolling for a spring 2020 wedding.

"We asked them to reserve May 24, for a Sunday wedding," Layne said. 

Before long, an entire weekend of plans was penciled in, including a 90th birthday party for Miller's father in South Carolina the day before. 

The couple anticipated attendance of nearly 180 people.

"Siblings secured their housing, granddaughters bought their frilly dresses, catering services were secured," Layne said. "We got themed bulletins, handouts, gifts, the aisle runner,  we even purchased Jenga pieces for a fun guest registry."

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A change in plans

After the stay-at-home order was in place, Layne and Bob began to wonder if they should revise their original plans. 

"Our children encouraged us to do so," she said. "We had missed the window of opportunity to secure a marriage license in Franklin County, before county offices closed, and could not hold the ceremony without one."

One by one, things were being canceled, including a honeymoon trip to Germany to see the "Passion Play" at Oberammergau.

"The uncertainty of future protocols were constantly before us," Layne said. "It felt like a roller coaster without the thrill."

On Easter Monday, an exciting development came in the form of a promising phone call from a friend with information that it was possible to obtain a marriage license from nearby Centre County.

In true pandemic form, the couple was indeed able to take their official vows — through a Zoom meeting with the county's register of wills, Christine Millinder.

"It seemed too good to be true — a miracle in the making," Layne said. "Fed-Ex sped our application to her, and the official license came in the mail Monday, April 20."

The couple introduced their children to one another through Zoom as well, and with their blessing, they moved the wedding up one month.

"Of course, that means they can’t be here in person, but we’re thankful for Facebook live," Layne said.

On April 24, during a refreshing spring rain, the couple set up seasonal flowers and said "I do" in Layne's garage-turned-pulpit, with their friend, Wayne Heberlig, officiating. 

"(We) have tried to focus on the blessings instead of disappointments; faith, along with supportive family and friends, has kept (us) strong," Layne said.

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Neighbors and fellow church congregants gathered to watch from a distance under umbrellas and hundreds more tuned in to the online stream cast from Nottingham Drive, Chambersburg.

"There was no reason to delay," Layne's brother, Mark McInturff said. "It was God's plan."

With the special date advanced, Layne made do with a combination of two previously purchased wedding garb options that weren't in her original plans.

The custom-made dress a local seamstress is making will have to wait for a post-pandemic celebration — a date that is yet to be determined.

As the newlyweds settle into their new life, Bob is planning to return to New York before he begins a new appointment at Messiah United Methodist Church in Shippensburg on July 1. 

The couple, planning to reside at Layne's Chambersburg home, was nothing but smiles on their special day, despite it looking much different than they originally had in mind.

"Life is an adventure," Layne said. "We are buckling up for the ride."

Carley Bonk is a Watchdog Reporter for the USA Today Network - Pennsylvania. Her coverage spans across the southcentral region of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at cbonk@publicopinionnews.com or on Twitter at @carls_marie.