This post is difficult to write because the words "thank you" are not enough to express our deepest gratitude for all of the support, kindness and joy that we received this past weekend during our first annual involvement in the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure". It is impossible to convey how much it meant to us to be completely surrounded by the love and strength of our friends and family.
The idea first started shortly after the diagnosis with a desire to show support for Amy's battle. Amy's sister-in-law, Dani Reich, wanted to bring people together to remind Amy that she is not alone. When she initially registered "The A Team" on the race website, she set a stretch goal of 25 participants with a fundraising goal of $5,000. One thing that I have learned about Amy's vast family roots is that they always pull together to support each other in a time of need. Their strength and fortitude is unfounded. Needless to say, it did not take long to quickly double and triple the goals. By racetime, we had over 85 participants and an excess of $11,000 raise to support breast cancer awareness!
Our support portfolio included sub-pockets from the Rozek/Kiener family, Earle family, Ault family, Keller family, Longwood neighbors, Reich group and numerous other families that joined us for this special event. Much like a wedding, we stretched the festivities throughout the weekend and coupled each event with an abundance of food.
On Friday evening, we hosted over 40 out of town guests for a fun dinner at Captain's Quarters on the Ohio River. The staff of CQ did an amazing job at arranging the perfect venue on the enclosed deck, complete with pink table cloths and napkins. The food and service was amazing. We enjoyed every minute of the evening filled with laughter, food, drinks and a few late-night future blackmail stories.
Saturday morning started very early with a dark drive down to Iroquois Park for the event. The tent area for "The A Team" was donned with pink pumpkins, fresh baked pastries and an abundance of positive support. Amy was the guest of honor, much like the bride in pink (with a scarf for a veil). Within moments of our arrival, she was whisked away for a television interview. Before long, she returned to be surrounded by family and friends. We even brought along our own paparazzi for the event.
The Survivor March may have been the most emotionally difficult moments of the event. On one hand, it is the ultimate proclamation that cancer is forever a part of your life. On the other hand, it is a complete immersion into the support of countless women who have fought this battle and won. As Amy marched with the other women and closely supported by our good friend and mentor, Joanie Dunn, tears streamed down her face in a complete montage of emotion. As a husband, my heart was both filled with pride and breaking with sorrow for her pain.
Joy and festivity continued as we ribbed Brandon about his upcoming dreaded run (committed by the final push hours before to exceed his fundraising goal). The actual 5k walk was a massive movement of people, children and strollers all decorated in pink from top to bottom. The weather was perfect and the fall colors completed the framing of the symbolism of strength.
During the award ceremony, "The A Team" took Second Place for the fundraising portion by family and friends. This was quite an honor to achieve in the first year of activity. Where should the goal be set next year?
Our joyous day was concluded with a outdoor dinner at the Dan and Sally Keller's house in Goshen. In true Kentucky form, we rolled out the tables and chairs right on the driveway. It was the perfect evening to spend time outside with family and friends. The kids enjoyed running around and the parents enjoyed the much needed reprieve.
As with the end of a wedding weekend, we spent much of Sunday saying goodbye to family and friends as they embarked on their travels back home. For a few nameless people who missed their flight, we were blessed with an extra day to spend more time with them.
The weekend was everything that we could have hoped for and more. We were truly strengthened by the show of support and Amy's resolution to fight this battle is only stronger for it. Words cannot come close to describing the feeling of knowing that so many people love and support your wife and family. I can only attempt to explain it by sharing that tears flow uncontrollably down my face when I try to covey how much this means to us. There are no words, just tears of joy.
For more updates on Amy's battle, please follow her story on our CaringBridge site.
