In 2005, photographs couldn’t even contain the happiness of these newly-engaged lovebirds.
The wedding in 2006 was a very lovely & love-filled affair.
Pink peonies
And Vanessa filled it with reminders of the way she saw the world.
Vanessa and Billy didn’t even get a year of “normal” life before Vanessa’s cancer was found and treatments began. Through the next seven years, they weathered the ups and the downs, together,
2007 hair starting to grow back from chemo
2008 enjoying life through the many surgeries, pills, chemo and radiation
2008 at the “Pink Party” to celebrate the end of V’s cancer treatments (from first diagnosis) – picture by Jenni Thomas
2009 adapting to regular life again
2009 – hair growing back, V is so happy
…even when the cancer returned (and spread) and Vanessa was now facing a life with no cure for this damn disease.
2010
2010
2010
2011 5 year anniversary date night. V captioned this picture: “Dinner at Siam Orchid in Bellevue and partying on the Purple People Bridge for the Red Pink Blue event. Perfect night with Billy!”
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012
2012
The confirmation of the breast cancer spreading to Vanessa’s brain was our worst fears realized… but still love persisted.
2012
2012 – picture by Angelo Merendino
2012
2012
2013 – picture by Joules Evans
2013
2013
2013
2013 – picture by Joules Evans
2013
2013
2014
Vanessa died in the morning of February 23, 2014.
The afternoon of February 23, 2014 – Vanessa & Billy’s house – Live Sincerely flag flying at half-mast
Today would have been Vanessa and Billy’s 8th wedding anniversary.
A valentine card Vanessa sent Billy a few weeks before her death. That week she struggled to hold a marker and got confused on which letter she was on halfway through each word… but I think that despite those challenges she was working with, her true love for Billy shines right on through.
Love is bigger than cancer.
LOVE WINS.
THE END.
Thank you, Jessica, for this beautiful testimony to the power of love. For Billy, your family and all who knew and loved Vanessa, it is so evident that, if we Live Sincerely, the love we’ve known survives us all.
Thank you for your post. I think of her frequently and Billy as well. What a heartbreaking…..
NO WORDS!!! Hugs to you all
Absolutely beautiful — no words…