Tomorrow, on May 26, 2021, Kate and Shane will gather with their loved ones on the gorgeous grounds of Stone Tower Winery to renew their vows and celebrate a day where cancer is not at the forefront.

Kate and Shane first met in 2013. Shane had recently returned from an Army tour in Iraq and Kate, also a veteran, was working on a PHD in public health. The two kept running into each other at veteran events and decided to go out. In Kate’s words, “each time we went out, I continued to be surprised by him.” The two became serious almost immediately and were engaged within a year. Shortly after, Kate landed an interview for a professorship in Charleston and the two stopped at a courthouse on the way there and eloped! Soon after, Kate was offered the job and the two moved to South Carolina with a new sweet baby in tow.

In 2018, at the behest of her doctor, Kate had a routine mammogram. Though she was not yet 40, Kate’s doctor warned her about the high incidence of breast cancer in veterans who were stationed near burn pits in Iraq and urged her to get checked out early. Sadly, Kate’s mammogram revealed the worst. She had three tumors in her breast and lymph nodes. Kate was diagnosed with an aggressive form of heterogenous stage IV breast cancer.

She underwent an intense chemotherapy program that worked for about 10 months, when the cancer morphed and moved. She then went on a more aggressive chemo, which was very difficult to handle, but worked well. Kate’s cancer continually changes, making it incredibly challenging to treat. She is frequently monitored and has unfortunately seen new cancer growth in all of her most recent scans.

Kate is fighting with all of her might for her sweet little family. We were so touched by her and Shane’s story and cannot wait to help them renew their vows. We brought on board Rebecca Hicks, an old friend of ours, to help and are thrilled with the team that she has assembled. A veteran herself, Rebecca and Kate have hit it off and we’re looking forward to the amazing celebration tomorrow.

We are eternally grateful to this incredible team:

Planner: Rebecca Hicks, Pen to Paper Events

Day of Planning: Lissa Marie Weddings and Events

Venue: Stone Tower Winery, Leesburg, VA

Catering: Purple Onion Catering

Photo: E. Losinio Photography

Floral: Weddings With Annika

Stationery and Day Of Materials: Gold Print Calligraphy

DJ: Premiere DJ Services

Hair and Makeup: Styled for Elegance

Cake: The Wooden Spoon Cakery

Gown: David’s Bridal