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When Elizabeth Weinlick walked into the Mall of America in 1998, she didn’t know she would leave married. David Weinlick had invited friends and family to help him choose a bride, turning his wedding into an unusual experiment in love and commitment that endured until David’s death.

What began as a public spectacle became a deeply loving marriage that lasted nearly 20 years and included four children. 

Elizabeth reflects on what made their relationship work, the role laughter played in their life, what it was like caring for David after his terminal cancer diagnosis and why she still considers saying yes to a stranger one of the best decisions of her life.

 

Suggested episodes:
Secret Mall Apartment: The story behind four years of hiding in plain sight 
Married Over 50 Years: “Love Each Other Even When You Don’t” 
Forget meet-cutes: How lasting love can blossom in unexpected places 

 

GUEST: 
Elizabeth Weinlick: Married David Weinlick, essentially a stranger, after his friends and family selected her to be his bride at the Mall of America. What began as an unconventional experiment turned into a remarkable love story. They shared nearly 20 years together, raising four children before his death from cancer in 2018

When Elizabeth Weinlick walked into the Mall of America in 1998, she didn&rsquo;t know she would leave married. David Weinlick had invited friends and family to help him choose a bride, turning his wedding into an unusual experiment in love and commitment that endured until David&rsquo;s death.
What began as a public spectacle became a deeply loving marriage that lasted nearly 20 years and included four children.&nbsp;
Elizabeth reflects on what made their relationship work, the role laughter played in their life, what it was like caring for David after his terminal cancer diagnosis and why she still considers saying yes to a stranger one of the best decisions of her life.
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-10-02/secret-mall-apartment-the-story-behind-four-years-of-hiding-in-plain-sight">Secret Mall Apartment: The story behind four years of hiding in plain sight</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/arts-and-culture/2021-02-05/rebroadcast-married-over-50-years-love-each-other-even-when-you-dont">Married Over 50 Years: &ldquo;Love Each Other Even When You Don&rsquo;t&rdquo;&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-02-13/forget-meet-cutes-how-lasting-love-can-blossom-in-unexpected-places">Forget meet-cutes: How lasting love can blossom in unexpected places&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUEST:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Elizabeth Weinlick: Married David Weinlick, essentially a stranger, after his friends and family selected her to be his bride at the Mall of America. What began as an unconventional experiment turned into a remarkable love story. They shared nearly 20 years together, raising four children before his death from cancer in 2018</li>
</ul>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

For more: ctpublic.org/audacious

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
For more: <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. 

Audacious with Chion Wolf

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.

Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we’re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

Listen at ctpublic.org/audacious

Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.
Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we&rsquo;re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
Listen at <a href="http://ctpublic.org/audacious">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>
Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.