52: A Widower's Advice On Living Life To The Fullest with Brandon Janous (Part 1)

Normal Goes A Long Way

This week’s episode originally aired February 24, 2021 on Jill Devine’s other podcast, Two Kids and A Career. Through a mutual friend, Jill Devine was introduced to Brandon Janous. Brandon lost his wife, Rachel, to breast cancer on March 1st, 2020. Jill invited Brandon on the podcast to share Rachel's story because as he describes in the episode, "there's beauty in the brokenness".

To gain a little insight on who Rachel was, here are some highlights from her obituary:

Rachel excelled in everything that she attempted. But it was dance that captured her heart. From the time that she could walk to the time that she could walk no more, she danced. She danced everywhere she went and never in her life had trouble finding a dance partner.

Rachel attended the University of Nebraska (Go Big Red), where she not only danced on the sidelines of every football and basketball game as a Scarlet, but she also excelled in the classroom. It was here, in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Rachel would meet the love of her life (though she didn’t know it at the time.) He knew it. It just took her a bit longer to be convinced.

His name was Brandon Janous, and because of a silly flag football tournament, their love story began. Brandon was introduced to Rachel through some of her High School friends (Go Oak Park) on a weekend trip he and his buddies took to Lincoln from the University of Missouri (MIZ).

On March 13, 2010, Rachel and Brandon said their “I do’s” and began what they would consider the greatest love story ever told. The first of their 3 children, Hadley Mae, arrived just over a year after their wedding day, and for the next few years, Rachel would spend most of her time in maternity clothes. In 2012, they welcomed their second daughter, Cooper Grace, and in 2014 they got their boy, Macklin Lawrence, and became what is now known as The Janous 5.

She taught us that God is so dang good. And that while dying of cancer at 38 years old isn’t fun, dancing in heaven was going to be a blast!

Rachel's story is one every person should hear. Your perspective on life will change after hearing it. #LoveLikeRachel

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