If you were around in the 2000s, and even if you weren’t, you’ve definitely heard of the hit teen movie based on the Nicolas Sparks novel, A Walk to Remember. It stars Mandy Moore and Shane West as Jamie Sullivan and Landon Carter. The plotline follows two teenagers who unexpectedly fall in love during their high school years. However, this simple teen love is turned upside-down when Jamie confesses she is terminally ill. Landon ends up doing everything he can to make Jaime’s remaining time on earth perfect, including getting married. On Jan. 25, 2018, this movie had its 16th anniversary. Mandy Moore and Shane West celebrated by fondly tweeting pictures of scenes of the movie.
Courtesy: Entertainment Weekly
Courtesy: Entertainment Weekly
However, what’s even more beautiful than the anniversary of one of the best romance movies to date is a Florida couple who recently lived out the plotline. Dustin Snyder and Sierra Siverio, from Valrico, Florida, met at Mulrennan Middle School, where they shared a brief romance, according to the Tampa Bay Times. When Dustin transferred schools the connection was lost. It was rekindled by chance when they ran into each other at a Steak ‘n Shake in 2015. On June 27, 2016, one day before his 18th birthday Dustin was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that targets teens and young adults. It has been a tumultuous ride for the couple. Dustin’s original cancer on his lung was removed and he went into remission, however, cancer reemerged on his bladder, which was also removed until it, unfortunately, spread to his stomach and pelvis, with no hope to operate and only weeks left to live.
Courtesy: ABC News
“After [Sierra] being there with me through this cancer, always supporting me and loving me, that’s when I knew she was the one. I wanted to give her something back before my time was up,” Snyder said of his partner.
He ended up giving back to her with the most romantic gesture: he proposed. Of course, Sierra said yes. The news of the engagement spread like wildfire after it was announced by Snyder’s sister with a request for a donated ring and tuxedo. Offers came from dozens of people: one woman donated a diamond ring and several people donated tuxedos, but Snyder ultimately went with an offer from the Men’s Warehouse, where he was fit with a new one. A company in Tampa, Solid Asset Solution, donated a wedding dress and seven dresses for the bridal party and the Big Red Barn in Plant City offered to host the wedding and reception. A GoFundMe page for the wedding raised nearly 13,000 dollars to cover other costs of the wedding, and other expenses for the family, including the costs for “when the day comes for Dustin to be at rest.”
On Sunday, Jan. 28, three days after the anniversary of A Walk to Remember, the couple married.
Courtesy: ABC Action News
As said by Landon Carter and written by Nicholas Sparks, “Love is like the wind, you can’t see it, but you can feel it.” To Mr. & Mrs. Snyder, Her Campus hopes you will be feeling your love for each other, forever.