When a Denver grandmother bid on a gift certificate for professional portraits, all she wanted was the chance to capture memories with her 6-month-old grandson, Nathaniel, and his mother.
KDVR reported that Nathaniel is terminally ill and has a rare brain condition.
"We don't know how long we have with him," his mother, Brianna Vallejos, told KDVR. "We want to remember him the way he is now, the happy baby we see."
"I paid $150 for two gift certificates which included hair and makeup and the photographer," grandmother Barbara Vallejos told KDVR Aug. 21.
The photographer was Riza Photography's Marisa Velasquez, according to KDVR. The family won the bid through a local charity auction.
"I verified the night before we are going to meet at this park at noon," Barbara Vallejos said. "She said, 'Yes. I'll be there.' I said, 'Remember, I have a terminally ill child and need to make sure you're going to be there.' She says 'No problem.' … She never showed."
The family was out $150 with no photos -- until their story got out and messages flooded in.
KDVR reported local photographer Lupe Aguilar took photos of the family for free, saying he was grateful to have the opportunity to do so for the family.
Brianna Vallejos said it was a weight off her family's shoulders.
"Lupe came out and made our wishes come true," Barbara Vallejos said.
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