Buzzfeed article “Wedding threatened by cancer is rebuilt by kindness”
Their love story started like many others: with constant text messages. Jennifer Batugo was introduced to Brian Gargano in 2011 by a friend, and although they lived hundreds of miles apart, the attraction was undeniable. The pair began texting, and that lasted a few weeks before they finally had their first date. Brian drove from Arizona to Los Angeles after a 12-hour shift, just to meet Jennifer for Pink’s hot dogs.
The relationship endured over the following months and kept getting stronger, and on Valentine’s Day this year, Brian proposed. The couple started planning a beautiful, big wedding for August. Life had other ideas.
Just a few week after the engagement, Jennifer was diagnosed with an aggressive and typically terminal cancer, angiosarcoma of the breast. Doctors told her there was a good chance she wouldn’t make it more than a few months. She would have to prepare for the worst. Jennifer gave Brian “options,” wanting to ensure his happiness, but Brian was completely committed to the idea of making Jennifer his wife.
Jenn says she’s glad he proposed before her diagnosis, because otherwise she would have been afraid he just felt sorry for her. Knowing that he wanted her to be his wife motivated Jenn as she began treatment for her cancer. Even though they were far apart, they were in this thing together.
