Fonesca Photography
Debbie Gerlach, 25, found herself posing in her wedding dress alone for a truly heartbreaking reason.
Here, Debbie, tells the story in her own words.
T๏ฟผhe moment I met Randy Zimmerman, I knew he was someone very special.
Both 18, we worked at the same childcare centre.
He was so much fun and the kids adored him. Randy was kind and generous too.
โHow many children do you want?โ I asked him, after we moved in together.
โOne of each,โ he said. โMe too,โ I grinned.
I already knew heโd make an amazing dad but we were in no rush to start a family โ we thought we had forever. But Randy rode a motorcycle and Iโd often worry, even though he was careful and wore a helmet.
โIโm always safe,โ he said.
โItโs not you I worry about,โ Iโd say. โItโs other drivers.โ
The only thing we really fought about was who loved the other the most. โI love you more,โ Iโd say. โNo, I love you more,โ heโd laugh.
Then in May 2017, we were at the beach on holiday when Randy grabbed my hand.
โRemember how I told you I loved you more?โ he said, then he got down on one knee. โWill you spend the rest of your life by my side?โ he grinned.
Bursting into tears, I threw my arms around his neck and he spun me around.
Having some engagement photos taken, we wanted one in front of the sunset but it was too cloudy.
โThey still look great,โ I said.
Back home, I began planning the wedding.
โWhat about November 11?โ Randy suggested.
I loved that it was 11/11. Heโd never forget the date!
So we booked the venue and I chose a stunning gown, decorated with sparkling beads.
Then on the morning of February 1, last year, I gave Randy a kiss and dashed to work.
But once there, I felt strange. I couldnโt explain it, but I told my manager I didnโt feel well and I went home.
There, I got a frantic call from Randyโs colleague, Marcus.
โRandyโs gone,โ he sobbed. โWhat are you talking about?โ I said. โHeโs had a motorcycle accident,โ he wept. โHe didnโt make it.โ
Dropping the phone, I screamed and screamed. Randy had been just 30 seconds from our home.
I found out that a car had ignored a stop sign and collided with his motorbike.
His friend, riding just behind, saw the whole thing and was also hit. Heโd survived with cuts and bruises. But Randy had died on impact. He was just 25.
โWhy did you ride your bike today?โ I sobbed.
At Randyโs funeral, I stood up and told everyone how much I loved him. I thought Iโd be doing that at our wedding, not at his funeral.
Afterwards nothing seemed important without him by my side. And then I had an idea. I couldnโt have a wedding any moreโฆ but could I have a wedding photo?
Finding a photographer, Kristie Fonseca, I told her my plan. โI can do that,โ she said.
So I put on my wedding gown, and with a heart-shaped locket containing Randyโs photo around my neck, I posed for pictures.
Wearing the dress was one of the hardest things Iโd ever done. When Iโd chosen it, Iโd envisaged walking down the aisle with Randy watching, tears in his eyes.
โImagine him standing there with you,โ said Kristie. Then something strange happened. I felt Randy with me. I felt his love wrapping around me like a hug. Then the clouds parted and the most magical sunset appeared โ the one weโd never managed to get for our engagement pictures.
โThatโs Randyโs gift for you,โ said Kristie.
After the shoot, Kristie photoshopped Randy into the pictures. My tears fell again as I looked at them. Randyโs family and mine loved the photos.
On November 11 โ the day that would have been our wedding day โ I posted them on Facebook.
Today was supposed to be the day I married my best friend, I wrote. But today I woke up with my heart broken all over again.
Today I will not have a husband because a person made a choice not to stop at a stop sign. Please, I beg you, watch for motorcycles, stop at stop signs and drive with care.
The post, shared by thousands, went viral and strangers from all over the world messaged me. Some told me that I wasnโt alone.
A few were cruel, saying my pictures were creepy. I ignored those. I hadnโt done the photos for them. They were in honour of a day that we were supposed to have and as a tribute to Randy. It was also a warning to watch out for bikes.
You never know whose whole world is on that bike. If that driver had paid more attention my wedding pictures would have had my Randy in them for real.
Read more in this weekโs issue of thatโs life, on sale now.
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