BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A hospital room at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center became the setting for a wedding on Wednesday, May 6, as Toby Boxold (groom) and Phosy Takatsuka (bride) professed their love to one another.
It was an island-themed celebration — complete with Hawaiian leis, a personalized ceremony, vows, rings, cake and lots of happy tears.
Chaplain Rev. Tessie Mandeville officiated the ceremony and opened by stating these compelling words, “We are here together, in this hospital room, having a wedding ceremony on a gorgeous day because illness cannot stop love, and love, in and of itself, offers its own deep healing.”
For Boxold, who recently received the news that he has cancer throughout his body, the wedding was a bright light during a difficult time. He reported that he couldn’t believe how seamlessly it all came together. “Everyone has been incredible,” he said. “I just feel so blessed.”
Mandeville shared, “Our inpatient palliative care team began working with Toby when we were asked to consult given his recent diagnosis and prognosis. We often see a lot of intense and sad patient situations and we love coming alongside our patients and families to support them.”
She added, “With Toby and Phosy, we also got to be part of something really magical and wonderful. It’s not often our team gets to facilitate weddings! And, it really was a team effort because everyone on our team played a part in getting this accomplished—the social worker, notary, chaplain, nurse and doctor. We could not be more pleased with having the honor of being part of this special day.”
On the day after his wedding day, Boxold proclaimed, “I’m still elated. I feel like I’m levitating.”
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About PeaceHealth: Based in Vancouver, Wash., PeaceHealth is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center includes a full-service hospital and PeaceHealth Medical Group. Services in Bellingham include comprehensive cardiology, oncology, orthopedic and rehabilitation services and a joint venture outpatient imaging service. In Northwest Washington, PeaceHealth additionally operates critical access hospitals in Sedro-Woolley and Friday Harbor.
