At first glance, 5-year-old Sophia is the same as every other kid – a bright, bubbly girl with a huge smile on her face. But not everyone knows that this little girl is a true warrior. Sophia Chiappalone from Connecticut, USA was born with a genetic heart defect and wasn’t expected to live past 2 years old. But Sophia defied all odds.
Since she was a baby, Sophia had been in and out of the hospital. Now she’s getting ready to go under the knife again for her fourth open-heart surgery. But before that, the girl wanted one of her dreams to come true.
Sophia wanted to have a dream wedding and “marry” her best friend, Hunter. Kristy, Sophia’s mother, got the permission of Hunter’s family and staged a “wedding photoshoot” for the two kids.
The kids dressed up for the occasion and had so much fun posing for pictures and simply playing around. And now Sophia is ready for another fight.
More info: Facebook
Five-year-old Sophia Chiappalone has been in and out of hospital for most of her short life
Image credits: Sophia Elyssa
She was born with a genetic heart defect and wasn’t expected to live past the age of two
Image credits: Sophia Elyssa
Before going for her fourth open heart surgery, Sophia had a special wish
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
She wanted to have a dream wedding and “marry” her best friend, Hunter
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“That’s all she wanted in the world, was to marry the love of her life,” said her mom, Kristy
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“She was born with half of a heart — the whole right side of her heart was missing”
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“She’s a walking miracle”
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“There is no life expectancy at this time because there’s no reason for her to be alive”
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
Kirsty got in touch with photographer Marisa Balletti-Lavoie, who was only too happy to help
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“I was so honored and excited to be the one to document the big day!!” wrote Marisa on Instagram
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
She snapped Sophia and Hunter’s adorable wedding photos in a local park
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“I teared up watching her get all dressed up,” said Kristy
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“I was terrified…that this may be the only time I see my baby in a wedding dress”
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“It was pure innocence in the purest form. My heart aches with joy with the people standing behind Supergirl on this fight”
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“She’s fought to be alive since her first breath, but that’s all she knows”
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“Most people wait a lifetime for someone who wouldn’t stand by them through such illness”
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
“She met a best friend and love of her life at 3 who does”
Image credits: Sassy Mouth Photo
