PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) -- Becky and Benny Luntsford's love story began decades ago. The Pensacola natives met in elementary school.
They became boyfriend and girlfriend during middle school and were together all the way through college before going their separate ways.
"When I say we grew up together, we really did," Becky Luntsford said.
But after a chance encounter about 25 years later, they reconnected and eventually rekindled their romance.
"I don't think we ever stopped carrying each other in our hearts," Becky said.
They have now been married for 16 years and through their blended and extended family, they are parents of four and have 11 grandchildren.
But Becky began noticing changes in Benny. Benny, who worked in the grocery industry, was showing symptoms of cognitive decline.
"He was at one of his grocery stores about an hour and a half away, and he didn't know how to get home," Becky said. "Just like that," Benny added. "He was 59," Becky said.
In March 2021, at age 60, Benny was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
"When I say things changed overnight, it really did," Becky said. "We were both in our careers, in the height of our careers. Financially, we were good. We were in a good place; we were planning for our hopefully a little early retirement but little did we know that overnight he would not have an income."
In May 2022, he was formally diagnosed with Early-onset Alzheimer's Disease.
Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.
"It's not what a lot of folks think," Becky said. "It's not just our elderly grandparents anymore."
Becky stepped up as a caretaker.
She reached out to the Alzheimer's association, taking advantage of their available resources and took over the finances.
She leaned on a support group and began advocating at the state and national levels.
Because of her efforts, Respite For All, a national program opened in Pensacola to give some relief to caretakers, and provide an outlet for Benny and others.
"We needed a place for our loved ones who are vibrant," Becky said. "We needed them to have activities that were meaningful, where they could still contribute but it be affordable."
"We have a good time," Benny added.
Benny and Becky are going through a journey like so many others. According to the Alzheimer's Association, over 580,000 people live with the disease and there are 840,000 unpaid dementia caregivers in Florida.
"I just want to make sure that I do right by him," Becky said. "You always have," Benny added.
"Well, and I will continue to do so to the very best of my ability, but you know the truth is, they say so many times the caregiver is one that maybe their health suffers, I think more than anything what's imperative is that you take care of your mental health," Becky said.
Becky is voicing the importance of early detection of the disease and raising any concerns with a doctor immediately.
"I think a lot about if I had said something that nine months earlier, or that year earlier, would we have had more success with maybe some preventative, or you know earlier diagnoses is just so important. There's so much now that they can do if you're diagnosed earlier," Becky said.
Even as they navigate this devastating disease, their love remains stronger than ever.
"She's my own life," Benny said.
"We've endured a lot, but we will continue to endure whatever we need to and still just pour a lot of love into every day," Becky said.
For those in need, resources can be found on the Alzheimer's Association website, alz.org, and their free, 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.