Kim & Krickitt Carpenter

Biography

Kim and Krickitt Carpenter are the real life true story behind the #1 Box Office hit movie, The Vow. They are also the authors of the New York Times #1 Best Selling Book, The Vow-The True Events that Inspired the Movie.

The Carpenter's have shared their story to a worldwide audience reaching an estimated 400 million people who have either seen read or heard their story. They are also a feature biography among books such as Chicken Soup for the Couples Soul. Dr. Carpenter and his wife have spent the past 12 years interviewing globally and presenting as national speakers.

Their story has become the subject of more than 400 interviews worldwide to include two appearances in People Magazine and the Today Show, three appearances on Dateline NBC and Inside Edition, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil and with Japanese, German, United Kingdom and Australian television and print media.

THE STORY
They met in September 1992 when Kim, a University Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach in New Mexico, called a California sportswear company to purchase team jackets. Krickitt Pappas took his order. They discovered they had much in common soon they were talking for several hours a week. In April of 1993 they met in person for the first time. Kim says, "It was like I had known her all my life." He proposed two months later, and they married September 18, 1993.

Less than ten weeks after their wedding, their vows were put to the ultimate test. A near fatal car crash would change everything. Kim and Krickitt both critically injured but Krickitt sustained far worse long term injuries. The car's roof collapsed around Krickitt and fractured her skull. She hung upside down for 70 minutes before rescuers were able to free her. The doctors doubted she would survive.

Within five days she was off life support but remained in a coma. As Krickitt was awoken by doctors 21 days later, Kim soon discovered that she would never be the same.
The trauma to her brain caused retrograde and posttraumatic amnesia--erasing from her memory virtually all of the 18 months prior to the accident and 4 months after. Kim was heartbroken the day he heard his wife say she wasn't married. She had no memory of her husband either in her head or in her heart.

During the initial weeks of Krickitt's neurological rehabilitation, Kim was by her side pushing her toward recovery and trying to jog her memory with stories and photos. Krickitt, though, resented "that stranger" and told him that she does not know who he is, hated him, and to go back to where he came from.

With medical bills soaring, Kim returned to work. Many in his position might have left to make a fresh start; after all, 90 percent of the bills belonged to a woman who didn't know him. Kim did have doubts about their future, but he had made a vow.
Krickitt was confused as to who she had been. The old Krickitt was gone; instead there was a new blend of traits and characteristics. After intense struggles in their relationship through several months, at the advice of their therapist, the couple began dating again to reestablish the emotional bonds that develop in the early days of a relationship. New memories and new love emerged.

On May 25, 1996, they married again, exchanging new vows and rings. "Only one thing can surpass forever the painful events we have felt. That is the love I have for you," Kim promised.

Now, though they experience ups and downs like every other couple, they know that the love they share, a love based on their faith and to one another, can overcome all adversity.
Today, Kim and Krickitt live in Farmington, New Mexico with their two children. Kim serves as the CEO of San Juan County and Krickitt is a substitute high school teacher.