The Beautiful, Heartbreaking Way This Man Honored His Late Wife

For one stormtrooper, there was no try — there was only do — in walking 501 miles from Northern California to Comic-Con in Southern California. The long walk, which took a little over a month, was in honor of the man's late wife who died of cancer in 2012.

Kevin Doyle, who is originally from Minnesota, lost his wife, Eileen Shige Doyle, to pancreatic cancer in 2012. In order to continue his healing process, he walked 501 miles to raise money for Eileen's Little Angels, a nonprofit he started to send care packages to children with cancer. The packages will include artwork made by Eileen.

While the number of miles seems a little random, it's the exact distance from Rancho Obi-Wan in Petaluma, CA, to Comic-Con in San Diego. The number also represents the 501st Legion, the Star Wars costume organization that spreads their love of the franchise while also volunteering and participating in charity work, of which Doyle is part of. He also originally met his wife through the organization in 2008, proposed to her in a Darth Vader costume, and married her in 2009. During their time together, they went to conventions, where they worked and sold their art.

Throughout his journey, Doyle documented his pit stops on a Facebook page, as did others who met him along the way. Those who met him spread information about him with the hashtag #501MileWalk.

Thanks for sharing on Facebook Joanna & Donal Potts! At Bolinas Lagoon in Half Moon Bay, CA. #501MileWalk pic.twitter.com/86qmbgxD5g

— 501 Mile Walk (@501MileWalk) June 8, 2015

@501MileWalk Fantastic to run into you today in Santa Barbara #501milewalk pic.twitter.com/94SJX5rQRx

— Olly Smith (@jollyolly) June 24, 2015

Doyle isn't done yet, either — he plans on walking back most of the way. To learn more about his story, you can read about it on the Star Wars website. It's really stories like these that show just how powerful love is.