From the archives: This story was last updated in April 2019.
For a couple who love each other dearly, nothing can be more painful than the thought of separation. Sadly, not all couples are lucky enough to grow old together or to fall in love with each other over and over again.Anthony “Tony” Leonard, 46, married the love of his life, Christy, on May 19, 2007.
The couple, who lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina, spent their days in happiness until Tony was diagnosed with cancer in 2012.
After Tony experienced a painful battle and became cancer-free for nearly five years, the fatal disease returned in 2018, and this time, it spread to the lymph nodes. To prevent the disease from spreading further, his organs were removed.
Christy, his loving wife, knew that the end was approaching soon, as he developed a Kennedy ulcer.
She wasn’t ready to accept that the love of her life would be gone forever.
The couple, who have been through thick and thin together, still managed to find a way to celebrate their unique bond.
Tony would still be exchanging vows with Christy as they’d always planned to do.
Tony, who was mostly bedridden, was being looked after by his hospice nurse Brooke Tedder. The kind nurse did everything to keep him comfortable, even to the point of making the wedding possible.
To this, Tedder replied: “You tell Tony you are renewing your vows Friday, and Tony is going to make it. So here we are.”
The hospice nurse went on to reveal that she was honored to pin a boutonniere onto Tony, as she would never get to do it with her own son, as he passed away eight years ago due to lung cancer.
On Jan. 4, 2019, an emotional ceremony saw Tony and Christy exchange vows. Tony mustered all the strength to stand up and hold his loving partner’s hand as she uttered her beautiful vows.
“I, Christy, vow to keep you Anthony as my friend and love. Beside me and apart from me. In laughter and in tears,” she said.
“How about cheers to eternity? You save me a place, you hear me?” Christy laughed.
Tony admitted that he would keep fighting until he could fight no more. Wedding cake and photos followed to make the occasion a memorable one, and as expected, it was a memory that will be forever cherished.
“I just wanted to make sure that he knew no matter what, he’s always going to be the love of my life,” Christy said.
Tony passed away peacefully on Jan. 23, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Christy; sons, Anthoney, Austin, Alec, Aydin, and Ashton; and his granddaughters, Sophia and Alaya.
The love and faithfulness the couple had toward each other is surely soul-stirring. Tony may no longer be with us, but his legacy of courage, strength, and love for family will live on.
