Solemn Vows: Dying woman's wish comes true at hospital

HARLINGEN — Maria Garcia’s dying wish came true Friday evening as she exchanged wedding vows with her longtime sweetheart.

A silent strength filled the lobby of Valley Baptist Medical Center as Eddie Perez slowly lifted the oxygen mask off his bride’s face and the newlyweds exchanged their first kiss as husband and wife.

Maria, 31, was diagnosed eight months ago with cervical cancer, which soon became terminal, Eddie said. A few days ago, the doctors gave Maria only a few days left to live, and her dying wish was to get married, he said.

Eddie proposed Thursday, and she said, “yes.”

The faces of the many friends, family, children and hospital personnel were solemn.

There were no smiles, but also no tears.

The bride entered the lobby of the hospital’s East Tower in a snow white silk dress with white flowers in her hair and white slippers on her feet. Not a person in the room noticed or cared about the wheelchair or the oxygen mask over her face; the bride was radiant.

The Reverend George De La Garza of Faith Assembly of God Church in Combes presided over the short ceremony, which was in Spanish.

“I love everything about her,” Eddie said. The couple have spent the last eight years together and have three young children: Isaiah, Eddie Jr. and Diego. All three boys were at the wedding, standing by their mom and dad. One son cried as his parents became husband and wife.

Eddie and Maria met at the mall eight years ago, Eddie reminisced. He said Maria was a salesperson when they met.

“Time is precious,” Eddie’s brother and best man, Bobby Perez, said.

“Our goal is to cure sometimes, relieve often and comfort always,” Dr. James Castillo said. He explained that Maria had been in Houston receiving care, but came back to Harlingen to be with her family.

Castillo specializes in hospice and palliative care and said, “There is always something we can do” for a patient.

Maria looked tired, but stayed strong as she cut the small white cake with red roses. She then fed her new husband and took a bite of the strawberry cake.

The couple also exchanged a first toast, and many photos were taken with friends and family.

A thin gold band sparkled on Maria’s frail fingers as the ceremony and festivities came to a close.