Fiancee finally says ‘I do...’
JASON Davies first proposed to his girlfriend 19 years ago, but fearing it would change their relationship, she never said “yes”.
But after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, she finally proposed.
IT WAS on New Year’s Eve 19 years ago that Jason Davies proposed to his girlfriend.
But, fearing it would change their relationship, Michelle never wanted them to book their big day.
Every New Year’s Eve since, Jason has asked his partner if they could finally get married, and every year, she’s told him the same thing – “no, not this year”.
But in January, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and on Valentine’s Day she shocked her longterm partner by asking him.
After 26 years together, on Saturday, the couple from Mountain Ash became husband and wife at Merthyr Tydfil Register Office.
The rugby-mad pair had a wedding themed around their love of the game.
Jason wore a Cardiff Blues shirt, his new wife saying her vows in an Ospreys shirt. Their guests donned Wales rugby shirts.
Michelle, 49, who has a stage four cancer in her lymphatic system, is currently having radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
“I am very happy and the children are over the moon. We were happy the way we were and I was worried it may change things. For years and years, my children have always wanted us to get married.
“But then I found out I had a long-term illness and I decided to make an honest man of him.
“When I asked Jason to marry me on Valentine’s Day, I said to the girls, ‘It’s up to you organise it.’
“Every year he’s asked me, and I always said, ‘no, not this year’ and when I had this long-term illness, I asked him.
“I said, ‘Will you change your name to mine?’ and he said, ‘Yes, anything.’
“We decided to get married on my mother’s birthday. It means a lot to get married now.
“This [the wedding] has been a big distraction for my two daughters. It hasn’t given them any time to think of anything else.”
Jason, also 49, said the wedding gave them something to celebrate, as well as an excuse for the family to get together.
“We are trying to turn a negative into a positive,” he said. “I will treasure today for the rest of my life – it is a very special day.”
Daughter Anna said it had been a very emotional day for everyone.
“It is a special day – it is about time they get married after all these years, they both deserve it. She gets to marry her best friend. It is just amazing.”
The family celebrated the wedding with a meal, followed by a party at the local club.
Not wanting to travel far because of her illness, the newlyweds will be going to Porthcawl for a week for their honeymoon.
“We are just taking each day as it comes,” added Anna.
“She is having radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the moment.
“They could have told us how long she had but we chose not to find out.
“At the moment she is on steroids to help her with her breathing. She has always been a fighter.”