PHOTOS: Terminally ill man gets wedding wish
PHILADELPHIA -- Pierre Freeman has been given less than a year to live.
But, thanks to the charity "Wish Upon a Wedding," he was able to marry his longtime love at the Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia on Thursday.
His bride, Melanie Gaskins, looked radiant and Freeman was jubilant, despite undergoing chemotherapy treatment just the day before for his inoperable brain tumor and secondary liver, lung and bone cancers.
"It was love at first sight. I felt something when I saw you at an event. My black Nubian queen, I want to be your king forever," said Freeman during his vows.
"I can't imagine my life without you and with God's mercy, I'll never know what that feels like. I intend to spend the rest of my life with you, growing old, laughing together. Pierre, I love you," said Gaskins during her vows.
The ceremony was coordinated by 'Wish Upon a Wedding' - a 4-year-old non-profit, whose mission is to grant wedding wishes for couples facing terminal illness.
Everything from the music to Gaskins' gown, to the food, cake and venue were donated.
However the couple and their family provided the most important ingredients - strength and love.
"It's amazing, it really is. They've been together and they've been through so much," said Arianna Melton, daughter of the bride.
"I admire her and I think a lot of her and I'm always telling her, 'Thank you for being so strong,'" said Walter Freeman, father of the groom.
"It's overwhelming. It's just love, I'm so happy," said Willie Johnson, mother of the bride.
Photos courtesy "Wish Upon a Wedding" and Ashley Gerrity Photography.
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