Couple's Stunning Wedding Photo Honors Son They Lost To Cancer

An Atlanta couple tragically lost their son to leukemia last May, just weeks short of his ninth birthday. Anna Bozman Thompson and her now husband Travis put their wedding on hold for years as their son, Lake, battled cancer. They planned on their son being best man at their wedding. Heartbreaking.

The couple told The Huffington Post, “It was a really special day. It was bittersweet because Lake wasn’t there.” They wanted to find a way to honor their son and show that he was with him on their special day. Bozman Thompson was inspired by an image she saw on social media, and reached out to her wedding photographer to see if there was a way to include Lake. The result is stunning:

The striking image also includes the couple’s two younger children.

The image of Lake in the photo is one that was previously taken by their wedding photographer, Brandy Angel. Angel runs a non-profit BeTheChange-Brandy Angel Foundation. She uses her amazing talents to help those in need, by creating moving images in which her subjects implore those seeing the images to help in some way. There are several galleries: one is filled with portraits of those awaiting a kidney donation, another is filled with images of children battling cancer who need bone marrow donations. She donates her time and talent to help people. The images are clearly created with love. Here’s an image of the family before Lake passed:

Lake’s mom wrote in her Facebook post about the image:

“Although I felt his presence that day and I was actually happy, it was almost unbearable to take family pictures without him. I could feel my emotions taking over after the ceremony when it was time to take pictures. I became anxious and almost irritated but I knew these pictures had to be taken… I needed this picture more than she or anyone could ever know. THIS is my family. And we will be together again.”

Paul Woodward, the graphic designer who helped make the image happen posted on Brady Angel’s page, “Brandy Hayes Angel and I have decided we will create something similar to this anyone at no charge. We only ask you to consider donating to BeTheChange-Brandy Angel Foundation.”

What an amazing gift to be able to give a mourning family.