A day before she underwent bone marrow transplant
Jon Batiste won five Grammy awards last Sunday, April 3, but that's not the biggest news this man has to share to the world. He revealed that he has been married to his partner of eight years, Suleika Jaouad, since February.
In an interview with CBS show Sunday Morning, bestselling author Jaouad shared, "We got married the day before I was admitted to the hospital to undergo my bone marrow transplant."
Batiste told Jaouad, "I just want to be very clear. I'm not proposing to you because of this diagnosis," adding that it took him a year to design the ring. He also assured her that nothing will change, and that this second bout of cancer just made him realize that they should be together.
Jaouad also revealed that that they had this intimate impromptu ceremony, which led them to come up with bread ties as their wedding bands. The next day, she went through with her bone marrow transplant. "We were so happy, so brimming with love and positivity from this beautiful evening that we'd had. And I really believe that that carried us through."
Poet and pastor Drew Jackson also posted on his Instagram account, officiating the couple's wedding ceremony. "One of the great joys of pastoral ministry was the privilege of officiating this wedding for these two beautiful friends of mine. It’s something I won’t forget. Jon Bastiste and Suleika Jaouad, thank you for the honor. So much beauty and so many blessings ahead for the two of you. Love you both."