A woman whose fiancé was killed by an alleged drunk driver memorialized their relationship by taking wedding photos alone.
On Nov. 10, 2017, about a year before his planned Sept. 29 wedding to occupational therapist Jessica Padgett, Montgomery, Ind., volunteer firefighter Kendall Murphy, 27, was killed while exiting his vehicle to help a car crash victim in Indiana.
“When Kendall passed, it took me a while to realize what happened, but as months went by, I realized that I wanted to celebrate our wedding day,” Padgett, 25, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
So she reached out to local photographer Mandi Knepp of Loving Life Photography, who had shot the couple’s engagement photos at the Glendale State Fish and Wildlife Area in Daviess County. “The day was an emotional roller coaster,” Knepp says. “I had chills all that day. It was a blessing to be a part of this.”
Padgett’s once-future in-laws surprised her with a gift of Murphy’s uniform, helmet, and boots, the latter of which were stuffed with sunflowers (the couple’s wedding flowers), along with a sign that read, “No matter your path, I am with you always.”
Padgett also posed for photos with Murphy’s boxer dog and “best friend,” Topanga, and friends and family gave speeches at his gravesite. “There were some funny moments. Like the mosquitos were terrible that day,” remarks Padgett.
Says Padgett of her wedding day, “It was something special to help heal both families.”
