Cancer, the dreaded “C” word. It has become such an epidemic in our society that people are loath to even mention its name.
Unfortunately, the disease continues to haunt families and relatives.
When Tristan Laue joined the Army three years ago, he looked forward to a long career in the military.
But fate had other plans.
Laue was medically discharged from the service in April 2018 after it was discovered that the young soldier had developed a rare form of liver cancer.
It is a situation people often fear: sitting in the doctor’s office and hearing the word “cancer.”
For army veteran Tristan Laue the nightmare became reality.
But determined to battle the disease, Tristan carried on with his life and attended the University of Northern Iowa.
Meanwhile, his relationship with his girlfriend Tianna, blossom in ways her family never expected.
“Talking to my mom … she said, ‘Some people don’t get what you two had in the amount of time, like they’ll be together for years and still not have the same connection that you guys did,’” Tianna told KWWL.
Sadly, Tristan’s illness continued to advance relentlessly, diminishing with it the couple’s hopes for a long life together.
There was nothing he could do about the cancer and Tristan knew that he would be forced to say goodbye to those he loved most.
He then made the decision to pursue one final wish and proposed to Tianna on Easter Sunday.
At the same time, his health was declining rapidly.
The urgency of the situation forced Laue’s family to act fast. The enlisted the help of the local community, which put together a ceremony just 48 hours after he proposed.
In the backyard of Tristan’s family home, the couple exchanged vows, becoming Mr. and Mrs. Laue.
Five hours later the 20-year-old veteran succumbed to his disease — dying after a nearly two-year battle.
“He’s the love of my life, and even like talking to my mom and everything, she said some people don’t get what you two had in the amount of time, like they’ll be together for years and still not have the same connection that you guys did”, Mrs. Laue said.
He was buried May 4 in Waverly, Iowa.
His friends created a GoFundMe page to raise money for a memorial in his honor.
“All proceeds will be going directly to the memorial as well as any funds left over will be going to help his loved ones in any way they need!” the page says.
“Help us remember a great Chickasaw who brought laughter and kindness to us all!”
Tristan’s dad, Mitch Laue, said Tianna was his angel. Now, he can be hers.
Make sure you tell people you love them because you never know when you won’t be able to!
