To view captions for this video, push play and click on the CC icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. If using a mobile device, click on the gear icon in the same area. Marietta Barton was 19 years old; Jeff Baxter was Despite both growing up in London, Kentucky, they never crossed paths until they moved to Lexington for college. But within a few weeks of their chance meeting, they were in love β and engaged.
Now, 35 years into their marriage, Jeff has published a book chronicling their whirlwind romance, the life-altering health struggles they faced soon after, and their enduring commitment to one another. But after sharing the text with a few friends, they were encouraged to publish it to help others facing the challenges of chronic illness and caregiving.
They also decided to donate the proceeds from the book to multiple sclerosis research at the University of Kentucky, where they both earned their degrees and where Marietta has worked in health research for 37 years. She currently serves as the regulatory program director and biobank project director in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science.
Jeff recently retired after serving for 28 years as a physical education teacher in the Fayette County Public Schools. It was the fall of Marietta was a sophomore at UK, hoping to become a pharmacist; Jeff was in his first semester at Lexington Community College. He was annoyed to come home from studying one night and find that his roommates had invited girls to hang out at the apartment without letting him know. He tried to quietly sneak into his bedroom while his roommates and the three girls socialized in the living room, but they convinced him to join them for a board game.
The next night, Marietta and Jeff found themselves on a double date with Stid and one of the other game night girls. He ordered the cent chicken wings offered by the restaurant, hoping Marietta would do the same.
