All the Best Weddings & Celebrations Bites & Pieces Wedding Blog by Kathi R. Evans
A Celebration of Life!!
Tina and Bob
All the Best had the privilege of working with Tina and Bob while they were planning their September 2009 wedding. They had been dating for quite some time and they were both excited to be married. They chose a site on the beach because the ocean is very special to both of them. They are both merchant marine captains whose fathers were both merchant marine captains.
Shortly after we started working together Tina told me that Bob had been diagnosed with cancer. In no way did this slow either of them down – full speed ahead went the planning! We chose a venue and they found a church nearby. Photographer, DJ, and florist were chosen while Tina was on leave from her ship. When she was in captain mode we communicated by e-mail and cell phone. Bob’s treatment was on going and when one therapy didn’t work Tina researched and found others.
It was so easy and fun to work with them. Tina knew exactly what she did and did not want. She chose carnations for most of their flowers because Bob liked them. The DJ went out of his way to find a particular sailing song that while solemn was one they both liked.
Their love and faith in each other never waivered and Tina always had something positive to say. Bob even planned his therapy around the wedding so he would feel as well as possible on the big day. Family and friends traveled from near and far in order to celebrate with the happy couple! As a testament to his sense of humor Bob had a “NIC (not under command)” symbol on the sole of his shoe that all could see when he knelt during the ceremony. At the end of the day both bride and groom were very happy with the way their day had gone. We at All the Best were proud to have been a part of it all.
Tina called yesterday to tell me that Bob had passed away on Thursday after a 3 year battle with cancer. She also told me to tell the photographer that she would be in touch to order her wedding album and would be using some of the proofs at his memorial. She and Bob had picked out the pictures. I am devastated. I can only imagine how Tina feels. They were married for just about 5 1/2 months.
So the next bride who gets upset because something ridiculously small happened to cause her day not to be perfect will hear the story of Tina and Bob. A life together cut short because of a deadly disease that no amount of planning or detailed lists could make perfect.
Tina seemed to be at peace knowing that Bob was not suffering any more. My heart goes out to her and the members of Bob’s family. He was a great guy who loved Tina and will be missed by all who knew him.