Countless acts of kindness allow parents with terminal cancer to attend Sooke woman's wedding
When Shannon Alce said yes to Clayton Taylor’s proposal, she never could have imagined how challenging it would be to say "I do."
“It was just going to be a tiny thing,” Shannon says of their original wedding plans. “Because we didn’t really have any money.”
But then her mom Linda and her dad Bob were both diagnosed with terminal cancer, and Shannon had to suddenly race to arrange a wedding before it was too late.
“I just wanted (my parents) to be able to see it,” Shannon says.
So they decided to sign a marriage license at home, followed by a dinner out.
“We hired a commissioner and that was kind of it.”
Until a series of unexpected events that began with her colleagues at the elementary school where Shannon works enlisting the students to write books full of marriage advice.
“‘Take turns doing the dishes’ and ‘Don’t drink out of the milk carton,’” Shannon says, reading some of the countless hand-written words of wisdom that were accompanied by colourful drawings of wedding ceremonies. “This one says, ‘Save your tootin’ for the bathroom.’”
“It was so sweet,” Shannon smiles. “And so funny!”
Then, when they heard Shannon had no flowers for the big day, the children delivered a bouquet to her, one stem at a time.
“Everybody just made me feel happy,” Shannon says, fighting back tears. “It wasn’t feeling happy, so it was so special.”
But it didn’t stop there. Three women offered up their wedding dresses for Shannon to wear. Followed by a stylist (Alexandra Forman Artistry), florist (https://www.platinumfloraldesigns.com), and a photographer (https://www.rivkahphotography.ca) hearing about Shannon’s situation and donating or deeply discounting their services.
“It was so, so kind,” Shannon cries.
Just a week after dad’s diagnosis, Shannon was ready for a real wedding. Until the big day began with a huge dump of snow.
“It was crazy,” Shannon says of the record-breaking snowfall. “The roads weren’t plowed.”
Shannon and her parents got stuck on the way to the wedding.
“ A whole bunch of people on the street were like, ‘Do you need help?’” Shannon says. “And at that point I started to cry, ‘Please, please help me. I’m just trying to get married.’”
The group got them unstuck and on their way. They made it to the donated venue, which was outside, and staged the ceremony in the snow.
“It was crying and I was snotty,” Shannon smiles. “I was a big gross mess.”
Yet despite everything, the wedding was a big success. Her dad walked her down the aisle, the love of her life said "I do," and her mom provided a comforting embrace.
“I’m grateful that my parents were there,” Shannon says. “But I’m sad because I wish they could be there healthy.”
While it wasn’t Shannon’s dream scenario, thanks to the kindness of so many, the wedding was a dream come true.
“I’m absolutely honoured that so many people cared enough to be there for me,” Shannon says through tears.
That she could show her parents that their little girl will be OK.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.