VERNON – A young B.C. couple that now lives in Vernon, got their dream wedding thanks to the kindness of virtual strangers.
Inspired by an online video a Fraser Valley company decided to ‘pay it forward’ by doing a good deed for someone in need.
They ended up putting together the ideal day for a groom with terminal cancer and his bride-to-be.
Ryan Langley, who has terminal non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, decided to propose to his girlfriend Alisa in March.
“I didn’t want to take any more chances with time,” says Ryan.
Just a few month earlier in December of 2013 he was given only 12 weeks to live.
“When time starts to disappear on you, you want to just grab it and make the best of it,” says Ryan. “ I wanted her to know how much I love her and want to be with her as long as I can.”
They planned to wed on July 5, 2014.
“That was March when we planned our date,” says Alisa Langley. “He was already living on what they call borrowed time.”
With all their energy focused on Ryan’s health, it was hard to find time to plan their nuptials.
It often wasn’t clear if they were going to make it to the altar.
But then, with less than two months to go before their wedding date, a group showed up at their door promising to put on the wedding of their dreams.
“For me it was an instant flood of relief. I just started to bawl,” says Alisa of the surprise.
T-Lane Transportation was looking for someone deserving to surprise with a good deed.
Employee Shelley Raspberry suggested Ryan and Alisa.
“She submitted two sentences. Basically ‘this boy has terminal cancer and wants to marry the woman of his dreams’ and they all picked that one,” says Alisa.
Raspberry and others at the company pitched in to pull the wedding together.
“They did a lot of the fundraising and their staff themselves all volunteered to put on our wedding,” says Alisa. “That wedding is the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to.”
“Best day of our lives,” adds Ryan.
Ryan continues to defy medical predictions and the couple is now hoping he can be discharged from hospice so they can take their honeymoon.
“I just can’t put things into words to describe how thankful we are for everything. It’s been quite the journey. I’m still going and it’s because of everyone’s support,” says Ryan.
The pair is hoping to drive off on a three-week road trip.
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