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When Kennedy “Kenny” Muniz was diagnosed with Stage IV glioblastoma, a cancer of the brain, he had one wish — to marry the love of his life. Sunday, that wish was granted when he married Katiuska “Kathy” Reyes in Emporia.

Kenny and Kathy Muniz met in 1999 when Reyes moved to Emporia. Reyes had a young daughter from a previous relationship and says she knew Muniz was the one for her when he accepted her daughter as his own. They shared their first kiss on Mother’s Day in 1999.

“I actually kissed him first,” Kathy Muniz said.

Their relationship grew more serious and the couple moved in together, soon adding two more daughters to their family. As their family grew, so did their financial struggles. Both experienced job loss and mounting medical bills for their children. With the financial struggles, a wedding was never possible.

“We worked, worked, worked, trying to save up money,” Kathy Muniz said. “But the money was gone and we could not make the wedding happen.”

Kathy Muniz says that the couple has had a “beautiful life” together. They enjoy spending time with their daughters, they work hard and they love one another dearly. Just as life was beginning to get a bit easier for the couple Kenny Muniz was diagnosed and had to undergo brain surgery.

“It has been beautiful, what we have lived all these years,” Kathy Muniz said. “At the same time, what is happening is something that I do not know how to explain. It hurts, but it is a happiness knowing God has left him here with me after his surgery and now he is receiving treatment.”

Cancer may be slowing Kenny Muniz down from the fast pace of life before, but cancer hasn’t slowed his commitment and appreciation for his bride and family.

“She has done everything for me,” Kenny Muniz said. “Everything in the world. When I was in the hospital she was my eyes and she was my strength. She had everything I did not have and she did it all for me.”

When Wish Upon a Wedding, a non-profit organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing serious illness, heard the Muniz’s love story, the organization wanted to help. In just a few short months, the organization arranged a beautiful wedding for the couple.

“It was really fast,” said Lucia O’Connor, wedding planner with Come Join Us. “It all happened in about two months.”

Wish-granters like Kari Stookey with Kari’s Bridal Boutique say helping make this wish come true for the couple has been an honor. Stookey gifted the couple their wedding attire and rings.

“They are so sweet and so genuine,” Stookey said. “Your heart just goes out to them because they are going through so much, but the love they have for each other and their family is just so strong. It was an honor to be a part of this. It was one of those things where God put the opportunity in our path and it was pretty exciting.”

Wish Upon a Wedding was created to celebrate the courage, determination and spirit of couples by granting their dream wedding wishes. They also hope that the chosen recipients are an inspiration to other couples facing similar situations to find hope and strength. The organization was founded in 2010 and has granted more than 75 wedding wishes nationwide.

“We want to thank everyone who is helping us make our dream come true which is to get married,” Kathy Muniz said. “To unite our souls before God until death do we part.”

In front of their family and friends, the couple was united in marriage. They do not know for sure what the future holds for their family, but they feel blessed to be together.

“We are here to unite our souls until God wants,” Kathy Muniz said. “We keep moving forward.”Read more at:floor length prom dresses