Vanessa and Chris first met by sheer happenstance. Vanessa’s friend had decided to go meet up with a guy that she had met online and Vanessa decided to tag along for safety and support. Turns out, the man in question had a roommate named Chris – and the rest is history. One year into their relationship, Chris popped the question and the two were married at a courthouse just 16 days later on April 18, 2011. In the fall of 2018, Vanessa began to experience some confusing health problems. She was working as a medical assistant at the time and suddenly began struggling with things like balance, tripping, slurring of speech and loss of dexterity in her fingers. Despite numerous appointments with a neurologist, she wasn’t able to find a good answer. As the months dragged on and her family watched her physical abilities diminish, she was certain that something was very wrong. The answer finally came in June and was more devastating than she or Chris could have ever imagined. Vanessa had been diagnosed with ALS. In spite of her diagnosis, Vanessa and tried her best to find joy and peace in each moment. While She and Chris had dreamed of renewing their vows on their 10thwedding anniversary, they were forced to move the day up. We were incredibly touched by Vanessa and Chris’ story and were thrilled to grant them the vow renewal of their dreams.

Vanessa and Chris first met by sheer happenstance. Vanessa’s friend had decided to go meet up with a guy that she had met online and Vanessa decided to tag along for safety and support. Turns out, the man in question had a roommate named Chris, who Vanessa ended up chatting with all night long. The two hit it off immediately and were married a year later.

In the fall of 2018, Vanessa began to experience some confusing health problems. She was working as a medical assistant at the time and suddenly began struggling with things like balance, tripping, slurring of speech and loss of dexterity in her fingers. Despite numerous appointments with no good answers, Vanessa was certain that something was very wrong. The answer finally came in June and was more devastating than she or Chris could have ever imagined. Vanessa had been diagnosed with ALS.

Wish Upon a Wedding was deeply moved by this beautiful love story and cannot wait to grant Vanessa and Chris’s wish for a vow renewal.

Shawn and James entire relationship has been marked by cancer. However, throughout all of their struggles, their love has continued to grow and their story has become a testament to everyone around them. We were thrilled to learn of this beautiful couple and were honored to grant them the wedding of their dreams.