Chicago Marathon 2022 - Mando & Phil's Friends

My love story began at the age of 22 and continued for the next 30 years when I was fortunate enough to become the wife of Armando Aguilar. We quickly realized we shared a gift so rare and pure that only those lucky enough to have it know it to be true: there is nothing stronger than the love and bond between soulmates. A love so strong it flourished when faced with some of the adversities other marriages could not endure. A love so special, even in death, it cannot be broken.

On October 23, 2021, my best friend, partner, and soulmate lost his long, courageous battle with cancer. A cancer with an average life expectancy of only 6 months, this extraordinary man fought bravely for over 8 years.

He was so weak in our last days together that he could not speak. So we just stared into each other's eyes, having silent conversations like we had done so many times before. I squeezed his hand twice; he squeezed mine back twice, and then he was gone. Too tragic to comprehend – there is no universe in which it makes sense. My world felt immediately empty, useless. I was destroyed. An undefinable hole took over my world.

To know Mando was to know how his bright light lit up every room he entered. Bigger than life, with a contagious grin and laugh, he treated every person he met with respect. He always made the extra effort to listen to others and do what he could to put them at ease. Mando liked everybody, and everybody liked Mando. His absence is felt by each life he touched, including his dog, Ruby. She continues to sit at the foot of his chair, waiting for him to return.

Mando has been the greatest teacher in my life; I am eternally grateful for the unconditional love he showed me, and I vow to live every day in his honor.

This man made a difference to the world, and I had to find a way to show this warrior his fight was not in vain. While nothing could compare to the battle my husband endured for so long, on October 9th, I will be participating in my first marathon ever... the Chicago Marathon. As I train daily to prepare for the 26.2 miles, I know I cannot fail because the person I am honoring deserves so much more.

In doing this, I found a way to also honor an organization that meant so much to Mando and me during his long battle with cancer: Phil's Friends. Phil's Friends, located in the Chicago area, provides those affected by cancer across the US with care packages, Cards of Hope, hospital visits and prayer. Inspired by the thoughtfulness and selflessness of others who sent him care packages, encouraging cards and prayers during his own journey with cancer, it was in Phil's hospital bed that his vision was born. Phil's volunteers were frequent visitors to Mando at Northwestern Memorial and continued to send him weekly cards at home throughout his entire journey with cancer. Please help me make a difference. Money, volunteering your time, and/or product donations all make an impact.

More information about Phil's Friends: https://philsfriends.org/ PLEASE take a look at their wonderful work!