During the hustle and bustle of wedding season, I had the most amazing opportunity to photograph a party for the most inspirational young woman I have ever met! As most of you know, I am not great with writing, so I asked Nicole and her mom to write up a bit about Nicole’s story.
Here is what they sent:
“She’s 20 and without a miracle, she will never be a bride. But she is a princess – royal in strength, courage and beauty.
At 12 years of age Nicole learned about cancer the hard way. She thought it unfair and did not want to hear anything about it. She simply endured – surgery, radiation, chemotherapy – all the pain, sickness, and loss of hair that these treatments brought. Trusting that the tumor in her brain would go away and let her get on with her life. And it did, for four years after the treatments ended. Enough time to re-grow her long beautiful hair while she worked diligently on her studies to prepare herself for college.
At 18, just 2 days after graduating from high school, Nicole learned the cancer had come back. Barely an adult in age, she faced it head on this time. There was no mention of how unfair it was. No more nose in the Gameboy to block it all out. She heard it all and fully understood that it could cut her life short. A brusque welcome to adulthood. It is one thing to endure when you know nothing of what is to come, it is quite another when you have lived through it once. It is no longer the uncertainty of the unknown you face each day, but the certainty of the pain and ill feeling that will come. As time passed, it became clear that this battle would be far worse than what she’d known before. The arsenal of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were again fired upon the tumor, but they were accompanied by many complications this time. ER visits and days in hospital were far too common. She went through it all – praying that the tumor would again leave her so she could get on with her life. She was planning a career as a graphic designer and dreaming of finding a husband to love her, and raising children to love.
Barely into her 20th year, Nicole now finds herself in a wheelchair, dependent on those around her for much of her daily care, with a prognosis that the tumor will take her life in 4 weeks to 6 months. Spending as much time as possible with family and friends was her first thought, but as the news settled over her she began to realize the many life events that her future was too short to hold.
Marriage was one of those she was keenly aware of, as wedding talk had been swirling around Nicole for many months. She had recently attended one, been in one, and was to be a bridesmaid for her cousin’s wedding next summer. She loved to see the gowns and dreamed of wearing one someday. But now there would be no time to find her love. Perhaps she could simply try one on? Her cousin made the arrangements at the shop where she’d just found her own gown. – Bridal Exclusives. Nicole would be able to see her cousin dressed in her wedding gown, and try on a few dresses herself – she was thrilled.
So bitter sweet was the day. Selecting the gowns to try from the many beautiful ones in the store. Slipping into each with the help of mom and two cousins. Facing herself in the mirror, Nicole glowed with pleasure – whether seated in her wheelchair or standing with many hands to hold her, supplying the balance stolen by the tumor. Each gown she’d chosen looked beautiful on her. With gentle hands, the ladies of the store placed veils, tiaras, and flowers in the thin hair struggling to grow back – each new effect bringing more radiant smiles from Nicole. Those watching smiled too, then turned to shed silent tears for the wedding day that would never be.
Nicole tried on 6 dresses, narrowed them down to 3, and finally to 1 – the first she’d seen herself in. Aubrielle, the young woman helping Nicole, encouraged her to try on her favorite gown again, even though closing time had long since passed. Nicole happily did so as we watched, sharing in her bubbling pleasure. Dressed in her own clothes again, we rolled Nicole from the store – then turned to thank Aubrielle profusely for the gift she had just given us in allowing Nicole to feel like a bride for a few hours. Our hearts were so full of gratitude, we thought there was no way for Aubrielle to truly know how much it meant. How wrong we were…
Aubrielle told the story of the young bride that would never be to her friends and of her desire to buy the dress for Nicole and give her a reason to where it. The others joined in – all wanting to contribute in some way to bringing a measure of joy to a young woman they had never met. Thus was born Nicole’s Princess Party! In one short week, photographer, videographer, makeup artist, cup cakes, and apple crisp were all contributed towards a gala gathering at Nicole’s home where family and friends added to the food and festivity.. But best of all was the dress – perfect for Nicole in it’s simple elegance – a gift from the warm hearted people at the bridal shop.
They gave Nicole a day to look and feel royally special, with those who love her there to share in the joy of the day. Nicole did feel like a princess, and as the pictures attest, looked like one as well. The gown hangs in her room, a reminder of the wonderful people that brought her that day. And once again, our hearts are overflowing with a gratitude that words fail to describe.”
Click here to see a slide show of all images from the party.
Also, Click here to see the news story, Andrew Padula did a great job of covering her party!
A special thanks to all the vendors that contributed to Nicole’s incredible day!
Sweets: Bella Cupcake, Bliss bake shop, Great Harvest
Videography: Billy Yi (Point of View Productions)
Dress: Bridal Exclusives
Makeup: Alyssa Alt
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