We all have a best friend that we would do anything in the world for, right? Well, Laura Ruffino did the most selfless thing for her best friend and her children. Read ahead to find out how Laura’s life was drastically changed with one loving decision.
This New York Mom Of Two Fulfills Her Best Friend’s Dying Wish
Best Friends
Laura Ruffino and Liz Diamond, from Buffalo, New York, were inseparable since they were in fifth grade. They were more than best friends, they were each others’ family. One day, Liz had to deliver some of the most heartbreaking news of her life to her best friend.
Best Friends
All Girls
Liz had four children of her own, all girls, and she loved them more than anything. She was raising them by herself, which made things even more difficult for her. It sure was a full house with five girls living under one roof!
All Girls
Liz’s Biggest Supporters
Laura and Rico Ruffino were busy raising their two sweet daughters in Buffalo, New York when they got the heartbreaking news that would change their whole family’s lives forever. When they found out, they didn’t know what to do.
Liz’s Biggest Supporters
They Were All One Happy Family
Since Liz was a single mom, Laura and Rico loved her four daughters just as their own children and helped her out with anything she ever needed. Liz also saw Laura and Rico’s daughters as her own. They were like one big happy family.
They Were All One Happy Family
The Diamond Girls
Tara, Samona, Ella, and Lilyan Diamond were a very tight-knit group of sisters. Not only were they sisters, but they were all inseparable best friends with one another. They would do anything for each other and nothing could tear their bond apart.
The Diamond Girls
The Unthinkable
One day Laura and Rico were just having a normal day, doing everything they would normally do, when they got a call that would end up changing their lives forever. Liz told them that she needed to see them as soon as possible and that it was very important. Laura and Rico couldn’t imagine what it could be.
The Unthinkable
Everything Will Be Okay
Liz took a deep breath and told her best friend and her husband the worst news imaginable. When they found out, they couldn’t believe it either. Everybody was crying, hugging, and trying to be strong. Everything will be okay, they kept trying to think positive thoughts.
Everything Will Be Okay
Uncertainty
None of the three of them were sure what their futures held for them after receiving the news from Liz, but they all knew one thing: no matter how uncertain their futures were, they were in any and every situation together as a team. They were all best friends.
Uncertainty
What Was The News?
Liz told her best friends the worst news of her life: she was starting a battle with brain cancer. Nobody knew just how bad it was, or how bad it would get. Everybody was nervous, but they were all in this fight together.
What Was The News?
Fighting For Her Life
Liz was fighting for her life against this awful brain cancer, and her friends and family were standing by her side no matter what. They weren’t sure if or when Liz would get better, but they all held out hope that their friend would be okay.
Fighting For Her Life
The Question Of A Lifetime
One very cold day in December, Liz told Laura that she needed to ask her the most important question of her life. Laura had no idea what the question could be, but of course, she agreed to meet. What important question could Liz be asking Laura?
The Question Of A Lifetime
She’s Not Getting Better
Liz’s stage 4 brain cancer was not showing any signs of improvement, in fact, quite the opposite. Everybody was trying to remain hopeful, but nobody was sure what to do. They all felt helpless because their best friend and mother were so sick.
She’s Not Getting Better
What About The Girls?
Liz took her best friend’s hand and asked her a life-changing question. She told Laura that she needed reassurance that her four daughters would be okay, that they would have a happy and safe place to live together, and she asked her friend for help.
What About The Girls?
They Need A Home
Liz knew she wasn’t getting any better, and as a single mother, she had a lot of logistics to think about. She didn’t know what would happen with her daughters, but she had a hopeful plan. What could she be thinking to do for them? She knew they all needed to stay together in a loving home.
They Need A Home
Her Biggest Wish
Liz’s biggest worry was finding a good home for her daughters in case she didn’t survive through her brain cancer. She took her best friend’s hand and asked the biggest question. Her best friend knew immediately how to react, and did just that.
Her Biggest Wish
The Answer Was Easy
Liz asked her best friend if she would adopt her four children if anything happens to her. Immediately, Laura’s answer was yes. Laura and Rico couldn’t think of a better way to show their love for Liz than to do this one thing she asked from them. It was an easy decision.
The Answer Was Easy
Liz Was Strong
Liz said, “I need to talk to you about the kids. If anything happens to me, I need you to take my kids.” Laura said that there were no tears, there was no fear in her eyes, there was nothing but strength. Liz knew exactly what needed to happen, and she made it work.
Liz Was Strong
Big Changes
When Liz lost her tough battle with brain cancer, the four Diamond girls moved into the Ruffino house immediately. It was a very tough time for everyone, everyone was heartbroken, but they were all in this unfathomable situation together as a team.
Big Changes
All Of The Firsts
Every first birthday, first holiday, and even every new day without Liz was tougher than the next for everyone in the Ruffino-Diamond house. Everyone was doing their best, and the oldest daughters were trying to remain strong for their younger siblings.
All Of The Firsts
The First Christmas
Laura said their first Christmas without Liz was “gut-wrenching. Oh, it was so challenging. My heart broke – just looking at their faces and trying so hard to make it special.” Every Christmas has gotten a little easier, and she said last Christmas felt beautiful and the girls had a great time.
The First Christmas
Managing Everyday Tasks
The six girls are in five different schools, so on top of the daily routine of taking them all to their respective schools, Laura and Rico have the added tasks of grocery shopping, laundry, and cleaning up after six children. They say they enjoy it and it’s the least they could do for their best friend.
Managing Everyday Tasks
Financial Adjustments
Adjusting from two children to six is a big financial task; their family doubled in size overnight, so now they have to think about six college tuitions and six weddings instead of two. Laura and Rico are doing the best they can, and luckily they have had a lot of help when they’ve needed it.
Financial Adjustments
Helping Hands In The Community
The family has been so lucky to have a supportive community of people to help them through this time. They had a family van donated to them, help with cooking and groceries, and they even had a GoFundMe page started for them by a dear friend. How amazing is that?
Helping Hands In The Community
Laura’s Dream
Laura said that her biggest dream is to take the six girls to Disney World: “We would love to take them on a trip to Walt Disney World. They all deserve that so much. I don’t know that it’s possible. I mean, so many have been so generous to us, but we have to think about groceries and school and clothing and all of that now, and then college and all of that down the line. I’m not sure Disney is possible, but the girls would just love it.” We hope they can go one day; they deserve it.
Laura’s Dream
Always Remembering Liz
Laura said that sometimes she looks at the Diamond girls and instantly sees Liz’s face in theirs. She said that everyone misses Liz every day, but they are all doing their best and they are all there for each other. They are now one big, happy family.
Always Remembering Liz