posted on July 29, 2022
Oceanside vow renewal & Pearl Harbor Memorial visit
Cultivating hope in the face of extreme adversity isn’t always easy, but Joseph and Reena Teeny are immediately recognizable as remarkable people — the kind whose love, hope, and generosity radiates from them, even as they both battle cancer. Last year, Joseph, a 50-year-old veteran, who served as a Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class in the US Navy from 1991-95, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in his thoracic spinal cord, and it was only three months after Reena, his wife, was also diagnosed with breast cancer.
They shared the Dream of celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary together this year in Oahu, HI, with their family at their sides. So this June, with the support of Dream Foundation’s Dreams for Veterans program and in partnership with Turo, their positivity was returned with a trip to Hawaii that was greater than their imagination.
Family matters
For Reena and Joseph, one of the most important parts of the Dream trip to Hawaii was having their family with them. They had plans to renew their vows while they were in Hawaii and wanted to share that with as many of their loved ones as possible. For Reena, it was especially moving that her parents would be in attendance, because they were unable to attend her wedding 25 years ago, due to her grandmother’s passing around the same time. It was also a triumph that, while Joseph’s doctor had warned them in February not to make these plans because he might not make it, that Joseph was feeling strong and capable of making the trip. They were even surprised to have a couple extra family members decide last-minute to fly out to Oahu to join their ceremony.
The couple were also delighted to have all of their children with them. At their home in Troutdale, OR, Reena and Joseph raised two kids of their own — Jacob, 21, who is currently at college at the University of Oregon, and Jasmine, 22, who lives and works in England. The Teenys also host international exchange students in their home, and are particularly close with Jooyeon, their Korean “bonus daughter,” who became one of the family during her stay. Reena said, “You see a lot of kids come and go and not all of them become yours forever, but that’s what happened with Jooyeon.” So with the full family in tow, they embarked on a trip of a lifetime.
It’s the small things
When pressed for the most memorable parts of their Hawaiian Dream vacation, Joseph and Reena explained that the sights and events certainly left lasting impressions — most notably their vow renewal at the Aulani Resort & Spa and personalized visit to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial — but it was the particular care and attention paid by everyone they interacted with that they’ll remember most.
Joseph and Reena expressed that from the beginning, they felt they were in great hands. The VA Portland Healthcare System honored and celebrated Joseph by hosting a Dream Delivery at the family’s home in Troutdale, Oregon. VA Portland’s Interim Director Karla Azcuy formally presented the trip to Joseph, a challenge coin, a Dreams for Veterans pin, and a sundry of other items. Oregon’s Patriot Guard Riders attended the event as well as Troutdale Mayor Randy Lauer. Shaun Benson with the VA Portland Healthcare System returned to escort the family to the airport, in a limo, for their trip very early the next morning. Dream Foundation has had a strategic partnership with the US Department of Veterans Affairs since 2016. And the Navy had gone out of their way to make sure that the USS Denver — a ship that Joseph had served on and that he’d hoped to visit, but was scheduled for a sinking exercise — made an appearance on the coast at sunset, where Joseph and Reena were having dinner with friends.
Additionally, Reena was very happy with the options that her Turo host, Eric, offered with the Toyota Sienna that was provided for them, including delivery and pre-paid gas and cleaning. The large minivan and convenient Extras meant less shuttling of the family, luggage, and medical equipment from place to place, and much less work for her on the return than usual.
Celebrating love
Their resort, the Aulani Resort & Spa, was equally as accommodating, which was meaningful because Disney has a special place in Joseph and Reena’s hearts. Joseph had first proposed to Reena with a ring nestled inside of a small replica of Cinderella’s crystal coach that he had fabricated for the occasion — “She’s my princess,” he exclaimed. Reena added that for their Middle Eastern and Indian family, Aladdin is their favorite movie, and was the couple’s first date.
For the vow renewal ceremony, Reena and Joseph had planned to keep things simple, but the resort stepped in to find the perfect place overlooking the water, and provided every extra touch for all of their family, including leis. “It was such an emotional experience,” Reena said, “by the end of the ceremony, even all of the staff were crying.” To culminate the momentous evening, Joseph and Reena returned to their hotel room to find that the hotel staff had left them a surprise gift: a Cinderella crystal that brought Joseph’s proposal full circle.
Paying respect
However, for Joseph and Reena, perhaps the most impactful show of care came from the Navy. Joseph had briefly visited Hawaii before while he was on active duty, but hadn’t visited the Pearl Harbor Memorial. On this visit, a retired serviceman picked them up and gave them a tour of the naval base, with special access. Then the family, including Reena’s parents, was met by Katie and Westin, two educators from the Pacific Historic Parks, who gave them a private tour of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the USS Arizona.
Katie and Westin shared the history of the memorial site and answered their questions — Reena added that her father is deaf and reads lips, and that they were kind enough to speak with him individually. They had the sanctuary to themselves to visit and pay their respects, and plumerias had been provided for them to leave at the memorial. Westin also brought in a flag, and Joe was given the opportunity to raise the flag from his scooter, and then with help from his son, got on his two feet to salute it — it was an emotional experience. “They showered Joe with all sorts of really generous gifts,” Reena added, including a book addressed to him and signed by the author who is a WWII, Korean, and Vietnam veteran and served as a corpsman like Joe, and a folded flag. “They were the kind of personal touches you can’t even dream about, much less ask for,” Joseph said of the whole experience. Reena also expressed what a privilege it was to have the private space and to not have to worry about masks, germs, and their health, while they were visiting.
A piece of hope
For Joseph and Reena, the trip to Hawaii was unexpectedly packed with meaningful, genuine offerings from the heart — things they’re very used to providing. In addition to hosting exchange students, Reena is President of the board of Emilio Inc, an organization that supports youth mental health and Joseph has served 12 years on the school board. As a family, they don’t think twice about caring for and serving others, and Joseph and Reena continue to do so, seemingly undeterred by their health battles. When asked about the experience of being on the receiving end of that exchange, Joseph expresses that it’s hard, but it’s also what made this trip to Hawaii so priceless. Reena adds, “With or without cancer, the last two years have been so hard, there has been so much division and ugliness, the worst of the worst. All of this is a reminder to us and our children of how every person can do good to make a difference in someone else’s life, anyone can be a piece of hope, a piece of love.”
Dream Foundation serves terminally ill adults and their families by fulfilling end-of-life Dreams that offer inspiration, comfort, and closure. With the help of their nationwide community of volunteers, Dream Foundation has been able to connect people and make memories for over 34,000 Dreams since being founded in 1994.
If you or a loved one might be interested in receiving support from Dream Foundation with fulfilling an end-of-life Dream, please don’t hesitate to apply through the button below.
Kamala Puligandla
Kamala Puligandla is a writer, editor, and bon vivant in LA. She is the author of two books, Zigzags and You Can Vibe Me On My Femmephone, and is always on the look-out for strange stories, excellent eats, and relaxing locales.
