• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Living

Bride shares hopeful message after coronavirus outbreak cancels her destination wedding

4:49
America shuts down, shelter in place orders amid coronavirus outbreak
Katie Russell
ByGMA Team
March 18, 2020, 4:06 PM

Katie Russell, a 43-year-old writer in Austin, Texas, spent the past year planning her dream wedding in Todos Santos, Mexico, a spot that holds sentimental value to her family. All of Russell's plans changed instantly when her wedding was canceled due to the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 201,500 people globally.

Instead of waiting any longer, Russell and her now-husband Brand Newland got married on St. Patrick’s Day in Texas with just an officiant by their side.

Related Articles

MORE: Woman surprises quarantined grandpa with engagement news through nursing home window

Here, Russell writes in her own words the inspiring message of hope she's found in these challenging times.

Editor’s Picks

Ben Platt and his Broadway friends throw virtual dance party to ease anxiety

  • Mar 18, 2020

I'm living in Beijing, here's how I moved from fear to hope during quarantine

  • Mar 18, 2020

140 dead in US, Italy coronavirus fatalities continue to soar

  • Mar 19, 2020

I waited 43 years to get married.

Some say that’s a long time. I would have waited as long as it took to find Brand. But now that I’ve found him, I didn’t want to wait a second more.

We got married today on what the Irish consider the luckiest day of the year. In a green-filled park. By ourselves. With a retired judge (6 feet away of course).

Never could I have imagined that I would spend a year of my life planning a wedding for my friends and family in Mexico only to have it canceled because of a global pandemic.

But it’s okay and I’m okay.

Here’s the reason why.

The universe prepared me for this moment for a long time. And I listened.

My family lost everything we owned in Hurricane Katrina in 2005. I learned to let go of material things.

My mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was 29 and died a few years later.

I learned that life is fragile.

Shortly after, I was diagnosed with cancer and self-quarantined for 9 months because my WBC [white blood cell] count was dangerously low.

I learned that I can be alone and away from social interaction for a long time.

After I completed my cancer treatment, I got Lhermitte’s sign and couldn’t walk without being shocked for a year.

I learned how to be patient.

While I am disappointed and sad about what’s happening for not just me, but for our world, I know I will emerge from this with new lessons for navigating this sometimes challenging but equally beautiful life I’ve been given.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from these unfortunate events is that when things are out of my control, I still have a choice in how I respond.

I choose Love.

Love for our family and friends who are disappointed they aren’t able to attend our wedding.

Love for those who are being impacted in far greater ways than a wedding weekend in Mexico.

Love for all the people who are having to make decisions that impact millions of people.

Love for the medical professionals who are putting themselves in harm’s way to serve others.

Love for the children who just lost the school meals that they count on as their only guaranteed meals each day.

Love for small business owners and restaurants who have to shut their doors and thus shut off their income source.

Love for our elderly in nursing homes who were told they don’t get to have any visitors.

Love for high school and college seniors who, unknowingly, just played their last games of their sports careers.

Love for teachers who are scrambling to rewrite their curriculum and figure out how to offer online classes.

Love for all those who are suffering – whether it be with coronavirus, flu, cancer, fear, anxiety, depression, economic distress, or any other ailment.

And love for Brand Alexander Newland who, today, I promised to love for the rest of my life.

Related Topics

  • Coronavirus

Editor’s Picks

Ben Platt and his Broadway friends throw virtual dance party to ease anxiety

  • Mar 18, 2020

I'm living in Beijing, here's how I moved from fear to hope during quarantine

  • Mar 18, 2020

140 dead in US, Italy coronavirus fatalities continue to soar

  • Mar 19, 2020

Up Next in Living—

How to help victims of deadly Texas floods

July 7, 2025

Going loco for Labubu: Why adults can't stop buying the collectible plush toy

July 4, 2025

Is Costco open on the Fourth of July? List of grocery stores, major retailers' holiday hours

July 3, 2025

July has the highest number of drowning deaths. Here's how to prevent them

July 3, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News