MUNCIE — A Grant County couple is proving their vows even before tying the knot.
Jesse and Taylor Baas are middle school sweethearts.
They met when they were 14. That was 12 years ago and have been connected ever since.
Fast forward 10 years in Jonesboro, Indiana the couple now has a family.
"We ended up getting back together and then ended up having our son. Now we have three crazy kids," Taylor said.
The couple's connection has proved to be the theme that continues to carry their love story, even through the darkest times.
Jesse was diagnosed with testicular cancer about two years ago.
He beat it and has been in remission ever since.
That was until early September.
After feeling pain in his stomach and an emergency visit, doctors found Jesse's cancer was back.
"Your heart kind of sinks a little but because you know what's on its way. You know what's about to happen," Jesse said.
This time they found a mass in his abdomen.
"It felt like PTSD, felt like the whole world was going to fall down on us," Taylor said.
The diagnosis left the couple, who was engaged at the time, to reconsider their wedding date.
Their wedding was originally scheduled for late October, but the two decided to move it up a month.
The phrase in sickness and in health ringing more true than ever.
"During while we were reading off our vows when they said for sick or poorer. I said for even sicker or even poorer," Taylor said.
The two vowed to support each other through the toughest of times.
The venue for the big day was IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.
"It was breathtaking. I was just at a loss for words, I couldn't stop smiling and she just looked so beautiful," Jesse said.
The reception was held on the oncology floor.
A positive memory at the place that will be the center of a fight for the next 12 weeks.
The couple says the nurses took on the role of wedding planner.
"They really took care of everything, they did the floral arrangements, they made us food, they got us a cake," Taylor said.
Jesse would start chemotherapy the day after.
The two spoke with WRTV from the chemotherapy room.
Jesse said his now wife has been by his side through everything.
"She's been with me through everything and she's been such a good support system to me," Jesse said. "I really couldn't ask for a better partner, a better wife."
Jesse will have to fight.
"At the end of the day, Jess is going to be okay," Taylor said.
The two have hope, confidence and a whole lot of love to carry them through the journey.
"Keep rolling with the punches there is too much life to give up," Jesse said.
To learn more about the couple, click here.
-
Lawrence's first Black mayor and police chief make history together
For the first time, the city of Lawrence is led simultaneously by a Black mayor and a Black police chief.
LISTEN | Beech Grove bids farewell to Officer Brian Elliott with final 10-42
Surrounded by fellow officers, family, and a grieving community, fallen Beech Grove Police Officer Brian Elliott received his final 10-42 at the Beech Grove Police Station.
Youth take lead in effort to reduce gun violence
Young people took center stage at the Madam Walker Legacy Center, leading a conversation about gun violence and how they can work alongside adults to help prevent it.
Community honors fallen Officer Brian Elliott as hundreds gather for visitation
The parking lot of Beech Grove High School filled with police vehicles from around the Indianapolis metro area and beyond Sunday afternoon as hundreds gathered to honor fallen Officer Brian Elliott.