This is our chance to pay it forward and it begins with a story — one that we’ve told few people until now because it is painful to recall, but one that has helped shape who we are as a family.
Our son, Justin, was born with a condition called Hirschsprung’s Disease. Long story short, his bowels didn’t function properly at birth, so he needed major surgery when he was three days old. Again when he was four months old. And yet again when he was just over a year old. You wouldn’t think it looking at the jubilant photos of him that we are always posting, but he isn’t in the clear quite yet. We’ll know for sure if he has gotten over his condition when he is three.
He is so strong and so loving, even with all the difficulties he has faced in his life. He is more than our son, he is our hero.
The last time that we were in the hospital with Juju, we met a beautiful and brave young family who had just found out their 4-year-old daughter, Kaylah (pictured below), had a malignant tumor in her nasal passage. She, like Juju, is amazing and strong, so much stronger than her cancer. Her family’s fearlessness has been awe-inspiring, and we are lucky to have them as our dear friends.
It’s because of these experiences that we’d like to pay it forward.
5% of every wedding we book will go to Kaylah’s Fight for Life and Children’s Hospital to benefit remarkable children like Kaylah and Justin. I have never seen bravery anywhere like I have seen in the middle of the night pacing the hallways of the various children’s hospitals that we’ve been in and out of over the past few years.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
With love,
Romin, Jenny & Juju
UPDATE 2/23/10 – We had lunch with Kaylah’s amazing parents David and Kristina today, and they informed us that sweet Kaylah is cancer-free! She’s having a followup scan in three months to make sure it’s still gone, so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
