Five days before Ali Riley's wedding, her parents were evacuated from their home due to a major wildfire. Three hours after evacuation, their house was destroyed.
Despite the devastating loss from the fire, the wedding became a source of emotional support for the community. "When the sad news was going around, our neighbors were just saying 'well, at least we have the wedding,'" Ali said.
The wedding served as a unifying event, uplifting spirits amid loss. John Riley noted, "There were quite a few people there who also lost their homes. [But] everyone was just so happy."
Ali Riley reflects on her wedding as both a joyous occasion and a reminder of loss, stating, "Just thinking about her wedding to Lucas Nilsson brings tears of both joy and sadness."
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