Bells will soon be ringing in St. Louis for this very special couple.
Photo Credit: Signature Studio Creative Photography
At first glance Danielle, 19 and Tony, 20 of St. Louis, MO look like any young couple in love. He has a tousled mop of auburn hair and a boyish grin. She has sparkling eyes and a warm smile. But they are not like most couples their age.
Danielle was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis more than 16 years ago at the age of three. It was just two years before she and Tony met in their kindergarten class. “ I knew when I met him we would be friends for a long time,” said Danielle. And she was right.
Throughout the years, the two kept in touch and remained close friends, despite moving to separate cities. “We talked at least once every week,” she said. “We would chat over the phone and communicate on-line.” Danielle moved back to St. Louis in 2005 due to her illness. She began to see Tony with a greater frequency. In 2008, shortly after Danielle received a double lung transplant, the couple began dating. “The transplant was such an emotional time and we had been such close friends. It was then I realized he was the one.”
Recently, Danielle’s disease has begun to progress once again. Despite the transplant, her condition continues to worsen. Her body is rejecting her donor lungs. This summer, doctors determined Danielle has less than six months to live. But that doesn’t matter to Tony. He asked Danielle to marry him on August 9, 2010.
“He came to visit me that day at the hospital,” said Danielle. “He just got down on his knee and proposed, with my great grandmother’s ring.” She, of course, said yes. “We’ve been through everything together. From setting up my first oxygen tank to laying on my deathbed, going through a terminal illness together makes you realize your strength as a couple.”
Now in a matter of weeks, Danielle will gently walk down the aisle with her father by her side, in a ceremony provided by Wish Upon a Wedding. Her sisters Samantha and Paige, as well as best friends Megan, Jessica and Sam, will serve as bridesmaids. Her blonde hair will frame her delicate face, her dress will be beautiful, and her family and friends will be in attendance. Her ever-present oxygen tank will probably be there too, but no one will notice. All eyes will be fixated on this young woman in love and about to get married. There won’t be a dry eye in the room.
At the end of the white-silk aisle will be Tony, the childhood classmate who has grown into the man of her dreams. A handsome young man, mature beyond his years, and the one who has been there to love and support her throughout her disease, almost from the very beginning. “That’s the thing I admire most about him,” said Danielle. “His compassion toward others.”
Danielle, like most young brides, doesn’t really know exactly what her future holds. But one thing she knows for certain. “September 1, 2010 will be a special day. It’s the day that I am going to marry my best friend.”
I am Danielle’s mom and wated to thank everyone involved for making this wish come true! She is a beautiful,vivacious girl who deserves what all girls do and now u have made that possible. Your organization has also taken a grim time and turned it into a Exciting , Happy event and for that I am eternally grateful.
Carrie Wilhlem
What a gorgeous picture! Katelyn and I are so happy for you two. You will have an amazing wedding. We love you!
Hi,
I knew Danielle as a little girl. Her parents live across the street from my grandparents. I remember playing with her as a little girl and praying hard! I am so happy for her to get her dream wedding. Congrats Dani and I hope it is everything you always wanted!!!
I am Carrie’s cousin and I just read the article about Danielle and Tony. What a wonderful, wonderful organization. This is truly a blessing . . . thanks to all who participated in making this happen!
ugh talk about tears! congratulations on your wedding, i wish you both the best!!!
i can’t wait to be a part of this organization!
I am so happy that you are getting a fairy tale wedding!
I love you!
Vickie Greenhill passed this story on to me. What a wonderful organization and what a beautiful couple. My prayers are with you both as you celebrate this time in your life.
I’m a friend of your cousin, Vickie. What a beautful story. I’m sure your wedding will be as beautiful as the love you and Tony share.
Congratulations to you both. Danielle, don’t give up. I have a sister (37) and brother (30) who both have CF. My sister is doing great and has a daughter of her own. My brother on the other hand is currently at Barnes with a very low lung function number and we are afraid that soon he will have to have a double lung transplant. I pray for you and your new husband and bestest friend to be happy and able to lead a full life. Live life to the fullest. I know having CF sucks (not personally but through my sibilings) but with God’s help, we will all prevail in one way or the other! I will be thinking of you both on your wedding day and may God bless you!
I lived across the street from Danielle and used to come over to babysit her and her sister. It’s hard to believe Danielle is driving… much less getting married! But Dani has always been ready for the world no matter what obstacles are put in her path and I couldn’t be happier for her.
I work at the American Heart Association and had never heard of Wish Upon a Wedding, but am so happy I know about it now! It is wonderful to see such deserving couples have their wishes come true. And I am so excited Danielle and Tony are one of those couples!
I wish you all the best Danielle and continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers!
Danielle and Tony – I work with Vickie, Carrie’s cousin. Yours is a beautiful and heartwarming story. I pray that you will enjoy your very special day, but mostly I pray that you both know the love of Jesus and that He is your personal savior. Through Him you can spend eternity together in Heaven. May God bless you and fill your days with happiness and love.
Danielle is not only family, and a friend…but all of our hearts. This organization has given happiness and hope in a time that most thought none existed. I do not think that there are enough words to express how truly grateful we all are for what a beautiful thing this organization does for people…and truly cares while doing so.
I don’t know Danielle personally but I know her Father Jim. And I know of her courage her strength and her Faith. Jim’s Love for his daughter and the strength he receives from her. She is truly a blessing. I am so Happy to hear this great organization will make this Wonderful dream Come TRUE for Danielle and her FAMILY. Praise be to our God for the Special Children there is a Special place for all of them. God Bless you always Danielle. What a special world we would live in if we could know her Love and her Faith.
Dani and went to summer camp together as young kids until we were too old to attend any more. Like clockwork everyday, she would take some medicine with our afternoon snack and the camp counselors would call it her “sprinkles” and of course being that young I thought they were real sprinkles and would always get so mad because she wouldn’t share. Little did I know she was battling this horrible disease!! Dani has always been an upbeat, full of life girl and it truly inspires me of how someone could be like that. While planning my wedding my mom actually came across this website and told me to forward it to Dani so I did. When Dani told me she was approved for the wedding I was speechless and the waterworks began.
Dani is a truly amazing young woman, and I wish I had half the strength and courage as she does!! She has given me a different outlook on life….I’m also planning on changing my specialty field as a nurse from older adults getting open heart surgery to becoming a pediatric nurse in the ICU.
Danielle, you and Tony make such a lovely couple. I pray for you always and know you through your grandmother, Ellen, who is a special lady. I am very happy for you and Tony. God Bless you both.
I am so proud of those that are putting the time and efforts to make Wish Upon a Wedding the most wonderful day for such special couples as Danielle and Tony. Not only does this touch the families of those involved but a greater circle of individuals who give of their talents to make this a time to forget the hardships and enjoy the best moments of the day. Thank you Beth, Pam and Micheal and all the others who make me so proud to be your aunt, sister and friend.
I am a cousin of Danielle’s Mom. Thank you so much for making this deserving couple’s Wish Upon a Wedding come true. It is so refreshing to see a positive news article touching so many lives and helping those reading same to take a moment to prioritize and put things into perspective. Life is short and we all need to incorporate more LOVE, COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS and GRATITUDE into our lives. THANK YOU so much to your wonderful organization for the kindness and compassion. May God bless your organization with continued success in the future of helping, caring and making even more wishes come true!
I’m your aunt Alice from Oregon, I know I haven’t been able to spend much time with you as you were growing up but your Grandma Marilyn has always kept me updated. You have been in my prayers for many years. Blessing on your special day! Aunt Alice
Romans 8:38-39
I just saw this story on KSDK and it is amazing. God bless you all, everyone donating, the people, all of you. This story restores my faith in people.
I am Carrie’s cousin Cindy my cousin Brenda directed me to this site. I just wanted to thank everyone involved who has made this wish come true for Danielle and Tony. Congratulations Danielle and Tony
on your engagement and upcoming wedding. May God watch over both of you!
Hi Danielle.
I wish you only the best on you wedding and future!
I too am an individual with CF. I had my first transplant in 2004 which did work and I ended up with chronic rejection. I was fortunate to be listed once again and my second transplant arrived on Feb 14, 2008. I know how difficult the entire process can be……I wish only the best for you and Tony! !
Best Wishes
Amanda
I wish you all the best on your special day. Love Aunt Venus. Thanks for making danis dreams come true.
What a beautiful story.
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