Angel Sent from Heaven

Mary Lou Greim, 71, left, and Trish Guarino, 47, smile inside their home in Excelsior Springs, Mo. on Sept. 22, 2022. “I’ve never had a best friend my whole life,” Trish said. “I never really put in the work and nurtured a friendship. With Mary Lou, it was instant.”

Mary Lou Greim kisses her husband, Bill Greim, 78, while Trish Guarino holds Bill’s hand at their home in Excelsior Springs, Mo. on Sept. 20, 2022. Mary Lou has been married to Bill for 48 years. They met while they were teaching at Immaculata High School in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Trish Guarino and Mary Lou Greim help Bill Greim into their vehicle at their home in Excelsior Springs, Mo. on Sept. 20, 2022.

Mary Lou Greim holds Trish Guarino's hand during their drive home from Fowler's Fine Furniture in Richmond, Mo. on Sept. 20, 2022.

Trish Guarino reacts after catching a peanut in her mouth while joking around with Mary Lou Greim in the kitchen of their home in Excelsior Springs, Mo. on Sept. 20, 2022. “We get along really well,” Trish said. “We laugh so much.”

Trish Guarino, Bill Greim and Mary Lou Greim sit together after dinner in Excelsior Springs, Mo. on Sept. 22, 2022.

Trish Guarino picks out the next day’s clothes for Bill Greim in his room at their home in Excelsior Springs, Mo. on Sept. 22, 2022.

Trish Guarino helps Bill Greim with brushing his teeth in Excelsior Springs, Mo. on Sept. 22, 2022. “Whatever it takes, that’s what I’ll do. It’s a lot of pressure I put on myself because if I fail, I failed Bill. He needs me. If I wasn’t here, he wouldn’t be here.”

Trish Guarino and Mary Lou Greim tuck Bill Greim into bed in his room in Excelsior Springs, Mo. on Sept. 22, 2022. Trish gets Bill ready for bed every night.

Trish Guarino rests her head on Mary Lou Greim in their home in Excelsior Springs, Mo. on Sept. 22, 2022. “Sometimes it gets overwhelming and I can confide in her and she supports me,” Mary Lou said. “Without her, Bill would be in a nursing home.”