Venue – Lavender Manor
Photographer – Luba Wold Photography
Dean and Melissa met in March, 2018 when they both started working at the same Wendy’s. In fact, the first time Dean walked in, he definitely caught Melissa’s attention. Less than a week later, he asked her out, she said yes and “we have been inseparable ever since.” Since then, the Weidert’s story has been filled with challenges they never could have imagined. But this only made them stronger and more passionately committed to each other.
Melissa had been diagnosed in 2012 with two brain diseases and underwent three brain surgeries in five months. While dating Dean, she was also working two jobs and, as a certified personal trainer who enjoys everything fitness, was preparing to compete in a bodybuilding show. Dean, a maintenance technician who loves to solve problems and work with his hands, dove head-first into this not-so-simple situation, supporting her in every way he could, from cooking and weighing out meals, to laying out her work and gym clothes every morning so that she could get an extra 20 minutes of sleep. They poured themselves into their individual successes and together reached out to help others find their own potential and confidence.
In December, 2018, Dean proposed on the exact spot where he had been standing when Melissa saw him for the first time: in front of the frosty machine at Wendy’s. A month later, Melissa was diagnosed with brain cancer, but that didn’t stop them. “But, we knew we were going to be in for a fight,” she said. They had already started planning their wedding with Patricia Naumoff from Wedding Planning Idaho & Washington (WEDNI), who is also a cancer survivor. When she heard of Melissa’s diagnosis, she introduced them to an amazing team of people who made their dream wedding come to life. “Patricia was the heart of the whole operation,” said Luba Wold, the Weidert’s photographer. The entire community, including Luba and Lavender Manor in Deer Park, WA, donated their time and services, from engagement to wedding, and it all came together within a quick 3-4 months, since Dean and Melissa didn’t know how much time they might have.
The greatest challenge leading up to the day was Melissa’s health and exhaustion, but when that day came, “I felt great,” recalled Melissa. “We were able to enjoy the biggest moment of our lives pain-free.” Lavender Manor “put their heart and soul into every detail,” she added, “and we were very thankful to know that everything was taken care of. They worked so hard to make sure I had no stress!” The most touching memories of the night were all about the people who celebrated this most important moment with them. From the food to the cake, the photos, the dress, the dancing, and of course the smiles and laughter, it was a perfect night.
“It was an amazing opportunity to be a part of something like that,” said Luba, “It is a rewarding feeling to be in a position to help and make a difference in someone’s life, especially someone so deserving and appreciative of what they received!”
Dean and Melissa refer to Patricia as “one of a kind” and remain incredibly grateful for all of the WEDNI members who donated time, money and services. “I didn’t give Patricia a lot of exact details as to what I wanted,” said Melissa, “and somehow she captured exactly what we had dreamed of. We wouldn’t have changed a single thing.” N
