They walked into Starbucks smiling from ear to ear. Calm. Adorable. And smitten. Audrey was the definition of enthusiasm and beauty. Andy had his hair back in a ponytail, showing off his handsome face and smile. They were in sync. Excited and eager to talk all the details of their upcoming Wedding Day.
When I received the email from them later that week, asking me to be their Wedding Photographer, I was so excited.
A few months later, another email came. Audrey wrote with calm and collected confidence. She had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. 25 years young. Out of nowhere. Cancer. One of the most horrific words in the English language. But cancer has zero power over her and Andy’s love. Zero power of their plan to be married. The Wedding may be moved, or adjusted, but it would still happen. No matter what.
Just over a year later. After an unthinkable journey of chemo treatments, sickness, set backs, and hardship. They reached out again. Was there any way we could do their Engagement pictures on the originally planned Wedding Date? At the vineyard where Andy had proposed? I said yes. Let’s make it happen. Then the twist. Audrey called me. They were going to elope. Get married in a small private ceremony. Make it official. But it was a secret. Because they still planned on having a large ceremony and celebration the following summer.
As I captured their Engagement pictures first, and then their Elopement pictures after, I was blown away by their joy. Cancer had lost. If anything, it had only proven how much they loved each other. How deeply they carried each other. As they shared their vows and cried tears of gratitude, I cried too. It was one of the most beautiful experience, and one I will carry with me my entire life.
Audrey and Andrew, thank you. Thank you for the honor of allowing me to be a small part of this beautiful journey.
Stacy
Follow along their journey at Audrey’s Blog here: https://www.audreyrossi.com
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