Michelle and Scott Ellermets never imagined they would find love again after enduring unimaginable heartbreak. Both had lost their spouses in 2023, and while grieving, they found each other in the most unexpected way. Now, their story has touched the hearts of millions, not just because of their love but also because of the extraordinary sign they received on their wedding day—a double rainbow that seemed to affirm their union as a divine blessing.
The Unexpected Journey of Healing
Michelle Ellermets, 50, was married to her husband, Jonathan, for 23 years before he suddenly passed away from a heart attack in January 2023. She was devastated, struggling to cope with the loss of the man she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with. In Washington, D.C., just months later, Scott Ellermets faced his own tragedy. His wife, Lisa, who had been by his side for 29 years, died after battling an illness in June 2023.
By the end of the year, Scott joined a local grief group to seek solace and connect with others experiencing similar pain. It was here that he first noticed Michelle. “I joined Facebook in early December and a [local] widows [and] widowers website. When I got on it, I saw that somebody was Facebook friends with my sister. It happened to be Michelle,” Scott shared with Good Morning America. It wasn’t long before he reached out to her, not expecting that a message would change his life.
At first, the two were simply friends, bonding over shared grief. “We were just friends at first for a while, and then the friendship just grew,” Michelle explained. “I remember telling him that I was never going to get married again… and then we fell in love.”
Finding Love After Loss
As Michelle and Scott spent more time together, they discovered they had more in common than just their grief. Both were parents and grandparents, and they shared a deep faith that had helped them through their darkest moments. Their relationship blossomed quickly, though neither of them expected it to happen so soon after their losses.
“We’d go out for a very quick cup of coffee or a quick drink and discover, all of a sudden, that [after] our morning cup of coffee, the sun went down,” Scott recalled of how their bond deepened.
By June 2024, just a year after losing their spouses, Michelle and Scott decided to get married. “At our age, when you know, why not? We don’t want to waste any time. You can’t take your days for granted,” Michelle said. They planned a simple wedding ceremony on the beach, surrounded by their closest family and friends.
A Miracle on Their Wedding Day
Their wedding day, Sept. 7, 2024, in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, began with rain. But as the ceremony began, something miraculous happened—the sun broke through the clouds, and a double rainbow appeared. “It was like the icing on the cake, and it did seem like a blessing from God,” Scott told Good Morning America.
Chelsea Schaefer, a 31-year-old wedding photographer based in Northern Virginia and the D.C. area, captured the couple’s special day. Chelsea, who has been in the wedding photography industry for years, witnessed the emotional response firsthand. “I definitely started to tear up! I saw so many people taking pictures and videos of it. You could feel the emotion!” Chelsea shared during an interview with The Bright Story. As she continued capturing the couple’s moments, the rainbow intensified. “At the beginning of the ceremony, it was a small rainbow. By the time we were on the family pictures, it was a full arc double rainbow!” she recalled.
For Chelsea, the appearance of the double rainbow carried a deeper significance. She recalled how emotional the couple became as they stood together, hugging and soaking in the incredible sight. “Most of these rainbow shots were candids. I just let them have time alone to soak it in and kept taking pictures,” Chelsea explained. She described the rainbow as a "symbol of God's promise and that He hadn't forgotten about them."
The couple and their guests were deeply moved by the sight of the rainbow. “There was not a dry eye. It was just so special, especially knowing their story, having both lost their spouses,” Chelsea shared. For Michelle and Scott, the double rainbow wasn’t just a beautiful moment—it felt like a sign from their late spouses. “A message from them saying, ‘We’re happy for you, we want this for you,’ and we believe that they would,” Michelle reflected in her interview with Today.com.
An Inspiration to Others
Michelle and Scott’s love story has resonated with millions, thanks in part to a TikTok video Chelsea shared that quickly went viral. When she posted the video, she had just 28 followers on TikTok, never imagining the impact it would have. “I really wanted it to inspire hope to anyone walking through the hardest storm of their life, thinking, ‘I don't think I can get through this,’” Chelsea explained. “Not only will you get through it, but there are amazing things waiting for you! God always has a plan and there is always a rainbow after a storm.”
The video has garnered nearly 4 million views, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. “I have never shared such a personal story before, but Michelle encouraged me to share it,” Chelsea said during The Bright Story interview. “There have been comments from people who have lost loved ones and said that this video brought them hope that their story wasn’t over.”
The couple hopes that their journey inspires other widows and widowers who may feel like love is no longer possible. “There are a lot of people that don’t have a lot of hope. We felt that way too,” Michelle said in an interview with Today.com. “It’s really tough when you have your whole future planned with the person you’re with, and then—we both lost our spouses very unexpectedly at a younger age.”
Scott echoed this sentiment, adding, “We are doing this to send the message to others that life does go on… When you know, you know, and it’s true. We didn’t enter into this lightly.”
As they embark on their “Chapter 2,” as many widows and widowers call it, Michelle and Scott remain full of hope and faith. Their story serves as a powerful reminder that even in the midst of grief, love and joy can return in unexpected ways.
A Final Message of Hope
Chelsea, who photographed the couple’s wedding, shared a touching message in her interview with The Bright Story. “If you are walking through a storm, hold onto hope and have faith! God has not forgotten you, and there will be a rainbow after your storm.”
For Michelle and Scott Ellermets, the double rainbow on their wedding day was more than just a coincidence—it was a symbol of love, faith, and the belief that no matter how difficult the journey, there is always hope for new beginnings.
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