'Now or never': Lovebirds tie the knot before disease runs its course

'It's been a fast thing. We had to make it happen. That's what she wanted, that's what he wanted.'

Chris Ford got his dying wish - he married the love of his life and mother of his child, Nicole Wismer.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Chris was diagnosed with cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth and throat, shortly after the birth of his son Tristan.

He planned to wed his fiancée Nicole Wismer in October but after a year-long battle with cancer, doctors feared he wouldn't make it.

Chris and his small family moved to La Vergne, TN to undergo treatment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Amy Ford, Chris' mother, told the Daily News Journal: "During the course of his treatment, his tumors continued to grow and grow. They invaded his lungs and some of his other organs. About a month ago, he was diagnosed as terminal."

Ms. Ford recounted: "When the doctor told us, it was Nicole and I sitting in there, and Nicole just looked at Christ and said, 'You still want to marry me, don't you?'"

Nicole told Chris it was "now or never" and he agreed.

"It doesn't matter how long you've been together, it doesn't matter the circumstances, it shouldn't matter. I love him too much" to walk away, Nicole explained.

Unfortunately, the high cost of medical treatment kept the couple wondering how their special day would work.

Luckily, the Nashville Chive, a nonprofit organization dedicated to "change some lives," caught wind and spread the word.

"People we never even knew contacted us," Amy reported. "We had DJs...photographers, videographers, people offering to cook, florists, our cakes...the guy who owns City Liquors in La Vergne called and said, 'What do you need?'"

"...It's been a fast thing. We had to make it happen. That's what she wanted, that's what he wanted."

Between hospice visits and doctors appointments, Chris and Nicole helped make wedding plans with help from family members who traveled from Philadelphia to offer support.

Even a member of the Atlanta Chive group, who is a certified officiant, made the drive to conduct the ceremony.

The result? A catered meal, bouquets of flowers and custom cakes donated to the family.

Bridesmaids shimmered in coral linen sundresses while the groom and his groomsmen sported grey vests and aqua ties. The beautiful bride wore a strapless white gown and flowered veil.

Chris had to wear a small oxygen tank and was unable to stand for long periods of time. He wore a pain patch behind his ear and needed to be escorted down the aisle by his father, who also kept Chris stable during the ceremony.

Bob Ford, Chris' father, shared: "His spirits are very good because he's got a lot of support. His heart is like a rock. I've never seen anybody as strong as he's been, and his will to live. He's been fighting to live for his family. He's been through a lot with the cancer."

The cancer was so advanced, Bob had to speak for him when it was time to exchange wedding vows but Chris was obviously ecstatic.

He even managed to dance back down the aisle with his new wife.

"She's his heart," Kevin Hicks, a sign language interpreter who voiced Chris' signs, explained. "Their love is pure and true and perfect."

Please pray for the Ford family. Chris continues to fight for his life but without God's help, nothing can be accomplished.

Father, we pray for peace and healing for Christ and his family. Touch their lives and fill them with your grace and loving mercy.

Thank you Father, Amen.

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