By Mike Bush
KSDK --We all dream of those once upon a time moments. For Anna Jiminez, it's today.
"It's kind of like Cinderella going to the ball, " says Anna's friend Dawn Thornton.
It's the fairytale wedding she's always wanted but fate is trying to steal away her happily ever after.
She met her husband Manny when she was just 17 years old.
"I walked into a dance and I saw her for the first time. She had a beautiful smile, " said Manny.
"Was it kind of love at first sight?, " we asked. "Yeah, it was for me, " says Anna.
They waited eight years to get married but instead of a wedding out of a storybook, they had one in a courthouse.
"I just couldn't give it to her then, " explained Manny.
Over the next decade or so, Anna dedicated her life to her husband, their three children and their many friends.
"She's always been a very kind, giving person who thinks of everybody else, " explained Thornton.
Then, about two years ago, Anna began experiencing some health problems.
"It started with a twitching in her arm, " Manny recalled.
Weakness followed and after a battery of tests, doctors broke the devastating news. Anna was diagnosed with a progressive, usually fatal illness called ALS.
"I knew nothing about ALS, " explained Anna.
ALS attacks the nerves causing muscles to break down and there is no cure. Most patients end up in a wheelchair and half die within three years.
"I pray. I pray for a miracle to happen, " says Manny holding back his emotion.
Some in this situation might count the days but friends and family decided that they were going to make everyday count for Anna. That meant making sure she got that dream wedding.
"Initially, I was hoping we could raise enough funds to provide her a nice wedding and pay for it ourselves, " says Thornton.
Thornton sent out an email to White Traditions Bridal House in St. Peters and the owner was so moved that she contacted all her wedding connections.
"We just emailed a bunch of people and immediately, within minutes, I got emails back, " says Valerie Troha, the owner of White Traditions.
Even in these tough economic times, people wanted to help.
"They're just a deserving beautiful couple, " says Troha.
The planning, the flowers, the videographer, even the venue were all donated. Cinderella was going to her ball.
"I was excited, " says Anna.
So, on a recent Saturday in front of friends and family and even their children, Anna and Manny renewed their vows.
Manny's message to his bride was said not with his voice but with his heart.
"Her heart is filled with so much love, " he explained to us. "And she gave me some of that love and I have it in my heart."
Most couples get gifts for their wedding, few get the wedding as a gift.
"I just want to give her as much happiness as I can, " says Thornton.
Thanks to those to close to them and the kindness of strangers, Anna and Manny Jiminez know one thing for sure, that true love stories never have endings.
"Oh yeah, definitely, " smiled Anna. "Definitely a dream come true."
For more information on "The Gifted Wedding" visit http://thegiftedwedding.com
KSDK