Ask any parent and they’ll likely tell you there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for their child.
Becoming a mother or father changes life in ways that are hard to explain. From that day on, parents dedicate themselves to loving, caring for, and worrying about their child for the rest of their lives.
Sadly, though, there are some things even parents can’t prevent. Accidents and illness are part of life, and too many children suffer from things they can’t control.
Alina and Aaron Edwards’ lives were turned upside down when they learned that their 9-year-old daughter, Emma, had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Heartbroken, they held onto hope that Emma could fight the cancer. But after a few months, doctors delivered the devastating news that there was nothing more they could do to save her.
Determined to make the most of the time they had left, Emma’s parents decided to fulfill her wishes.
Many children in such situations might want to meet a celebrity, visit Disneyland, or walk out onto a sports field with their favorite player.
But Emma’s wish was different. She wanted to marry her 10-year-old boyfriend, DJ.
Before long, Emma’s wish gained a lot of attention from her local community. Volunteers and supporters came together under the name “Emma’s Army,” all working towards making the little girl’s dream come true before her time ran out.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation eventually stepped in to help Emma’s family raise funds. Emma’s mom, Alina, explained, “Most kids want to go to Disneyland, but Emma wanted to get married, be a wife, and have three kids.”
Reports say this wasn’t the first time Emma and DJ tried to marry each other. At the age of eight, the two had attempted to have a wedding at school. They even picked out bridesmaids and groomsmen from their classmates. However, their teacher didn’t allow the “wedding,” no matter how unofficial it was.
This time, though, the wedding had the full support of their parents and the help of countless kind-hearted people who were determined to make Emma’s wish come true.
“We put it all together in less than two days, and everything was donated. It was so precious, and it came together perfectly,” Alina shared.
When the big day arrived, the special moment was captured on video, including interviews with some of the guests. The young groom, DJ, shared his feelings, saying, “I thought she was the most beautiful person I ever saw. Ever since, I loved her.”
Emma’s mom, Alina, also had heartfelt words for DJ, expressing her gratitude for her daughter’s caring friend. In an emotional Facebook post, she wrote:
“DJ has been Emma’s ‘Boo bear’ since 3rd grade, and seeing these two together will melt your heart. DJ protects her, helps her, and makes her heart soar. She loves him, and I know he loves her too! He’s stood by her side through all the ups and downs and kept her smiling. DJ will forever be family.”
On June 29, Emma’s dream wedding became a reality. Arriving in a wheelchair, pushed by her loving parents, Emma wore a stunning purple dress and smiled brightly as her father escorted her down the aisle.
Emma and DJ exchanged rings and vows, with DJ sealing the ceremony with a sweet kiss. After the wedding, Emma returned to rest in bed, but her joy from the day was clear to everyone who saw her.
Sadly, just a few weeks later, on July 11, 2023, Emma passed away after bravely battling leukemia.
Her obituary read: “Emma Brooks Edwards entered heaven and into the loving arms of her Great-grandma Frannie Annie on July 11, 2023, surrounded by those who love her most. Emma was 10 years old and battled leukemia for 16 months. Our little unicorn, Emma, was born on April 22, 2013, and completed the Edwards family. She loved arts and crafts, practical jokes, her family, friends, Jesus, and her newlywed ‘husband,’ DJ. Emma was a light to all who knew her and an inspiration to everyone she met. She was the best daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, aunt, ‘wife,’ and friend. Her legacy is one of strength, humor, and endless love for all.”
Rest in peace, Emma, a beautiful soul taken far too soon.
Rachael Ray’s fans have noticed a big change in her appearance after some people started worrying about her health.
Former Food Network star Rachael Ray made a bit of a comeback by sharing behind-the-scenes clips from an upcoming episode of her show, Rachael Ray Meals in Minutes, on social media.
Rachael Ray seems to be back to normal
Rachael Ray has eased her fans’ worries with a recent video on social media, where she appeared just like they remembered her. The former Food Network star posted a clip on Instagram showing her acting like her usual self.
A few weeks ago, some fans got concerned after noticing her speech was a bit slurred in a video. But with this new behind-the-scenes footage from her show, Rachael Ray Meals in Minutes, she reassured them.
In the video, Rachael shared a few recipes that could be served for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Fans were happy to see that she seemed much better compared to how she was in the earlier clip.
One fan commented, “I don’t know what everyone was worried about; you look great, Rachael!” Another added, “She looks better now compared to her earlier videos, and her haircut looks good.” A third person said, “You’re looking much better here.”
While many people praised Rachael, a few were still unsure if she was fully back to normal. One asked, “When was this filmed? Something seems (or still is) wrong with her bloated face, slurred speech, and crooked mouth.”
The video that concerned fans was posted earlier this month when Rachael paid tribute to Tony Bennett on Instagram, honoring the anniversary of his death by cooking his favorite dish, ossobuco. Rachael humorously shared a story about how she “almost killed” Tony after accidentally pulling a chair out from under him, causing him to hit his head and fall to the floor. She added, “I thought I killed Tony Bennett, literally. But his wife, Susan, said, ‘He’s fine, he’ll pop back up.’ He made it through dinner. I miss my friend so much.”
During this tribute, fans noticed that Rachael’s usually fast-talking style was slower, and she slurred her words in parts of the video. Some viewers expressed concern, with one saying, “I love you, but are you okay? I’m seriously worried.” Another added, “She seems like she’s been drinking. I love Rachael, but it’s hard to watch her like this.” A third person commented, “It looks like a mini-stroke. Her mouth seems uneven. This makes me so sad.”
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