Julie Marshall and Tiffany Knepshield

After Julie Marshall was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma last summer, she underwent aggressive chemotherapy at Johnston-Willis Hospital every third week for five days straight. The six-cycle treatment meant she developed close relationships with her care team, and even officiated the recent wedding of one of her nurses, Tiffany Knepshield.

Marshall is a chaplain at the Veterans Affairs Hospital and said she got to know Knepshield, a night nurse, on a different level as she went through her chemo treatment. She learned that not only was Knepshield engaged, but she was in the market for an officiant, too. As they became close, plans fell into place for her early December wedding in Charlottesville.

“Our relationships with our chemo patients don’t stop after they finish their cycles,” Knepshield said. “We still continuously check on them. They’re all a family and we love them so much. It’s awesome to have that connection outside of work. Julie will always be a part of my life now.”

Marshall is in remission now and said her nurses were more than just healthcare providers — they became her friends. She was honored to be asked to help with the wedding. She is making plans with Knepshield and her new husband to see each other after the holidays.

“I’m in remission now, but I miss going into the hospital because I got to see my friends when I was there!” she said.