This bride-to-be has prompted an outpouring of kindness and inspiration after she used her broken engagement as an excuse to help a woman whom she had never met before.
After Kolbie Sanders ended her engagement a week before the date, she had the chance to keep her wedding venue’s reservation for a later time – but the 24-year-old had a better idea: she would give the $3,500 wedding package to any couple who would be willing to get married within the week.
“With my engagement ending, I’ve come to find tremendous peace in knowing that I did the right thing for the both of us,” Sanders wrote on Facebook. “With that being said, now I want to do the right thing by others and let some good come out of this decision.”
Sanders, who is a student from Tyler, Texas, made a social media post asking people to send her nominations for couples who deserved a free wedding.
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The post was then shared thousands of times, and as more and more people saw her call for action, local businesses and community members volunteered to help out.
A makeup artist, a hair stylist, and a photographer all offered up their services for the big day free of charge. Local bakeries and chefs donated dozens of food and pastries for the reception. Others donated flowers, decorations, and accessories.
After reviewing hundreds of love stories and submissions, Sanders wrote down the names of all of the most worthy nominations and put them into a bowl. She then drew out the name of Haley Hipsher.
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Hipsher was overwhelmed with joy. Due to her grandfather’s recent stage four cancer diagnosis, she had been considered as a candidate so that her beloved, sick family member could see her walk down the aisle.
Amidst the flood of news outlets covering Sanders’s good deeds, she says that she is delighted to grant Hipsher’s wedding wish – but more importantly, she is happy to be so inspired by the flood of compassion and support that has resulted from a simple social media post.
“If there is one thing I’ve taken from this entire experience, it’s this: no matter what, always choose others even when it’s easier to choose yourself,” says Sanders. “This world keeps spinning and becomes a more beautiful place when you take the time to love on your neighbors and put their needs above yours, even if that seems like the harder thing to do.”
Multiply The Good By Sharing The Story To Social Media – Photo by Kolbie Sanders