BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- A U.S. woman has been married twice to the same man on Christmas Eve, both were surprise to her, media reported Tuesday.

    Ilda Ruth Southey in Waterford, Wisconsin, was married to the same man twice in her life, one on Christmas Eves in 1942, and the other, Monday.

    "I didn't know I was getting married, I just went to spend Christmas with him and I got down there, he had the wedding all arranged," said Ruth Southey, while recalling the first ceremony 65 years ago.

    Francis Southey, 90, then a soldier awaiting orders to ship off to Europe during World War II, said their first wedding almost didn't happen because Southey wanted a big wedding, but he didn't have any money.

    The staff at Waterford Senior Living, where they live, played the same trick on the old lady, arranging to have the couple renew their vows.

    This time the ceremony was held in front of three generations of family and friends. They snapped pictures, took video and shed happy tears.

    (Agencies)