On January 9, 2022, Jennifer and Ron will stand before family and friends to renew their vows and to celebrate a love that has been going strong for the past 42 years.

Jennifer and Ron met when they were just 17 years old. Jennifer had recently broken up with her boyfriend and decided to cheer herself up by attend her aunt’s Memorial Day party. As luck would have it, she met Ron that night. It was 1979. The couple hit it off immediately and started dating. The next year was a blur as they graduated high school, got married and welcomed a new baby.

The couple spent the next 40 years raising a family, working hard and enjoying life in northern Michigan. This past year, however, Ron started to experience some unexplained health issues. He was waking up with swelling in his chest and decided to get it checked out.

At first, Ron’s doctor diagnosed his swelling as a benign reaction to allergies. Although, within in a short time, the swelling increased, forcing him to go to the emergency room. It was there that a cat scan revealed a massive tumor in his lungs. Sadly, Ron was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. He immediately began an aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatment program to try to shrink his tumor and prevent his cancer from spreading. Unfortunately, Ron’s cancer has continued to progress and has moved into his lymph nodes and bones.

Jennifer and Ron have spent the past year and a half fighting hard for Ron’s health and are now focused on savoring whatever time they have left with each other. We’ve been touched by their beautiful story and are thrilled to be granting this vow renewal wish for them.

We were honored to team up with a dear friend, Alicia Fritz of A Day in May Events, and can’t wait to see what kind of magic she has in store for our sweet couple.

Alicia and her crew have comprised an incredible team full of northern Michigan’s very finest vendors and we could not be more thankful. In these trying times, we are continually blown away by the incredible generosity that we have been shown. This wish is no exception.

Thanks in advance to this lovely group:

Planner: Alicia Fritz, A Day in May Events

Venue and Catering: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Floral: Lilies of the Alley

Photo: The Weber Photographers

Video: Montage Media Films

DJ: 2Bays DJs

Harpist: Sylvia Norris

Gown: Natalie’s Bridal and Tuxedo

Groom’s Attire: Generation Tux

Beauty Services: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Stationery: Green Envelope