Emma Edwards, a spirited 10-year-old girl, had a dream. She aspired to become a wife and, one day, a mother of three children. Sadly, her battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) took a turn for the worse, and doctors informed her family that her cancer was incurable.
Emma’s parents, Alina and Aaron Edwards from North Carolina, watched as their daughter’s health declined. They held onto hope that she would overcome leukemia, but with the devastating news, they knew time was limited. Determined to make Emma’s wish come true, they planned a beautiful mock wedding for her and her childhood sweetheart, DJ.
Most kids might wish for a trip to Disneyland, but Emma had a different dream. She wanted to experience the joy of being a wife. Emma and DJ had first started dating innocently in school when they were only 8 years old. They even had a playful wedding during a lunch break. But as Emma’s health declined, her dream of a genuine wedding seemed out of reach.
According to Kids Health, leukemia is the most common form of cancer in children. It can be acute or chronic. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia occurs when the body produces too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that is ineffective in fighting off infections.
While leukemia is prevalent among children, many can be cured with treatment. The five-year survival rate for patients with ALL is 71.3%, according to the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
When Alina heard the devastating news about her daughter’s prognosis, she said, “We thought we were going for another kind of treatment and it would work. It was like a gut punch. You never imagine them saying they can’t do anything else for her.”
But Emma’s family and friends were determined to make her wish come true. With the help of generous donations and a lot of planning, a beautiful ceremony was held for the young couple in Emma’s grandmother’s garden. Over 100 guests, including teachers, doctors, and nurses, gathered to witness the touching event. Aaron had the honor of walking his daughter down the aisle, while their third-grade teacher recounted the story of their childhood friendship.
“It may seem bittersweet to fulfill a loved one’s dying wish,” Alina said. “But what can you say about the wedding for a couple of 10-year-olds? Would you also do the same as the family? Do you know someone who might be interested in this story? Then tell them all about it!”
Emma’s determination and DJ’s sweet gestures towards his bride touched everyone’s hearts. Despite her discomfort, Emma was determined to experience her special day fully. She even delayed taking pain medication to avoid falling asleep during the ceremony.
Sadly, Emma passed away on July 11, 2023. But her family takes comfort in knowing that they were able to grant her wish and make her dream come true. “She was a sweetheart,” Alina said. “I always say we must have made marriage look really fun because that’s all she wanted.”
Let’s celebrate Emma’s spirit and the love that surrounded her, reminding us of the importance of cherishing every moment.
