David's Surprise Birthday Party!

I love totally unexpected surprises, so I was really happy when Lauren asked me to photograph a surprise birthday party for her husband David. The plan was to show up at Euclid Hall in Denver and surprise David when he arrived with Lauren.

Here is a picture of those sweethearts when they walked up the stairs.

The best part of this occasion more than a party, more than a surprise. The best part of this occasion was that Lauren and David have each other. This time of year is particularly important to them. They met each other in high school and at the age of 17 David was diagnosed with cancer, Hodgkins Disease. He went through six months of chemo and three months of radiation. After they graduated high school, David went to St Louis University and Lauren went to Chicago. David's doctors found another tumor when they were 20 years old, and this time it was much more aggressive. He went through three months of chemo and then had a stem cell transplant. David's birthday marks his years in remission. David didn't just turn 30 this year, he is also celebrating 10 years in remission. If that isn't something to celebrate, I don't know what is.

Lauren and David understand the danger of losing one another and the joy of being able to keep each other after coming so close to the end. I'm not saying that you should dwell on the possibility of loss, but instead be grateful for all that you have in life.

What a precious couple.