The Wedding Story of... Joel & Lauren Fox

A Real-Life Love Story

Like many young couples, Joel and Lauren were busy planning their winter wedding for December 29, 2007. Both were finishing up classes at IUSB. Everything was coming together and final plans were being put into place. Then, suddenly everything changed.

It was September 25, 2007, and Lauren was at home doing homework when she got the call. Joel was under his car changing a fuel filter when the halogen light caught his clothing on fire. He was able to get out from under the car and his father tackled him to put the fire out. He was taken to Niles Hospital where Lauren met up with him and was already under sedation when she arrived. He was then airlifted to Bronson burn unit.

Lauren braced for what she knew would be a long ordeal, so she decided to begin an online journal for Joel and friends to keep them informed of his daily progress. Here is an excerpt from the first journal entry created just 2 days after his accident: "...I saw Joel this morning. The nurse said, "Joel, your fiance Lauren is here." He was moving his bandaged arms, turned to me and opened his eyes a little. He tried to talk to me and it looked like he was trying to say "I love you." He tried over and over but I couldn't understand. The nurses explained that he did well last night and that his vitals and blood pressure are great. He is getting a lot of oxygen and breathing at 100%. The time I was in there I talked to him, told him about my day and my new apartment and the weather. I just encourage him and let him know how good he looks. He was really active and kept trying to move his legs off the bed, reach up at me and lift himself up. He wanted me to hold him and help him up. I, of course, had to tell him to settle down and lay there. He shook his head no. I finally had to get stern with him...stubborn as usual. Thank God for his stubbornness because that will keep him alive. Finally he settled down and I rubbed his feet. Kind of ironic because at our Pre-Cana class at our church we had to write down what we wanted each other to do for one another every day, and all Joel wrote was "be happy" and "massage my feet everyday." Now it's one of the only places I can touch?" (you can read more from her journal at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joelfox).

Joel remained in ICU for 2 months, then began rehab in Ft. Wayne, and then on to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. After nearly a year of enduring neurological, orthopedic and skin therapies, Joel and Lauren were married on June 27, 2008 and celebrated with nearly 400 friends and family. Tears of joy were shed as they said their vows to one another.

The wedding incorporated many of the couple's personal touches, Including "a bearer of leis," where a Hawaiian friend came and distributed leis to the guests. An opera singer sang 2 songs in German as Joel speaks some German and he proposed to Lauren in Austria. Lastly, the couple had seven priests participating in the ceremony, one of which Baptized Joel and gave Lauren her First Communion.' Joel and Lauren's future plans include raising awareness about fire safety. They also hope to have a very large family someday.

They want to share with others that "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. We have learned that life is full of suffering and you must offer that suffering up for the betterment of others, just as Christ did by dying on the cross. Suffering can be redeeming and that makes this life-changing accident we have experienced full of purpose. Happiness and joy are two different things. Circumstances could affect our happiness, but our joy remains solid with our hope in Christ."