On April 15, 2013, the lives of Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky changed forever.
The recently married couple were spectators at the 2013 Boston Marathon when two bombs exploded near the finish line on Boylston Street. Downes and Kensky each lost their left leg in the first blast.
A year later, the newlyweds turned tragedy into triumph.
Downes and Kensky competed in the handcycle division of the 2014 Boston Marathon and crossed the finish line hand in hand with a time of 2Â hours, 14 minutes and 13 seconds.
Their finish represented the end of a long journey for the couple, who were married just seven months before the 2013 marathon.
Shortly after last year’s attack, a friend posted an engagement photo of Downes and Kensky on a website created to help raise support for the couple’s recovery. The results were overwhelming, as 7,500 people contributed a total of $500,000 in just three days.
A week before this year’s marathon, Downes and Kensky took part in the memorial ceremony held on the first anniversary of the 2013 bombing.
“I am so proud to be a Bostonian because I am so proud to be connected to all of you,” Downes told the audience, via CBS Boston.
On Monday, Downes and Kensky brought their healing process full circle by crossing the finish line the same way they watched last year’s marathon: together.
Thumbnail photo courtesy of Twitter/@BostonGlobe
