62-year-old Jim Zetz has stage IV pancreatic cancer, which means he might not make it to see his 11-year-old daughter Josie Zetz’s next birthday let alone her wedding. Local photographer Love Song Photography thought it would be a great idea to make a lifelong memory for the pair on josses’ 11th birthday. With support from friends, and strangers Lindsey Villatoro put together a special “daddy-daughter” ceremony, complete with a wedding cake, presents, and a bridal dress for Josie.
Jim walked his daughter down the makeshift aisle and placed a ring on her finger announcing them as daughter and father for a lifetime.
“Josie, you will forever have a video of you and your dad walking you down the aisle to play at your wedding in years to come, as if he was physically there.”
She’s old enough to grasp the seriousness of her dad’s condition, her mom said.
“The therapists recommend we use big words and make her understand that none of this is her fault,” Grace said. “This is life and death and Jim has gotten a lot sicker over the past few weeks. She knows she has to be patient and it hurts.”
Jim was diagnosed with cancer last October. Doctors explained it was “fast-growing” and “too late to do anything,” Grace said. After suffering through three months of chemotherapy, Jim opted to stop treatment and enjoy the months he has left.
Although sad, and heartbreaking, the fake wedding will allow Josie to remember her father being present for a lifetime.
