Hospice wedding for childhood sweethearts
CHILDHOOD sweethearts who rekindled their romance after finding one another on Facebook have tied the knot.
The pair, who met during schooldays at Countesthorpe College, were wed at Loros, Leicestershire’s in-patient hospice.
The happy, yet poignant event took place just nine days after groom Jonathan Hunt popped the question, mindful their time together was diminishing.
Jonathan, from Wigston, is terminally ill with bowel cancer and is currently being cared for on the Loros ward.
Diagnosed last August, Jonathan at first believed he might not be alive long enough to marry fiancée Cheryl.
The couple, both aged 46, dated for a short time nearly 30 years ago when they were at the college.
After their relationship fizzled out, the pair met again nearly 25 years later thanks to the powers of social media.
Jonathan said: “I’ve always had a soft spot for Cheryl. She hasn’t changed a bit since school - I should have never let her go in the first place.
He said being seriously ill triggered him to pop the question, six months after being diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in August last year.
He added: “I didn’t think I’d have the time to get married after being diagnosed. My diagnosis came completely out of the blue, I totally wasn’t expecting it.
“It’s overwhelming knowing I’ve fulfilled my wish of marrying Cheryl and she’s happy too, which makes me happy.”
Complete with Jonathan in a suit and Cheryl in a red wedding gown, the two took part in a civil ceremony at Loros, surround by close family.
“I didn’t know you could get married at Loros, it’s all been a completely whirlwind,” said Jonathan.
“Cheryl looked amazing, it was such a special occasion; the whole day bought a tear to my eye.”
Between the teams at Loros, the newlyweds and their guests were able to enjoy a buffet and wedding cake to follow the ceremony. Jonathan said: “I wanted to marry her because I love her. She is so full of life and has such a loving attitude.
“I remember meeting her in a café after we had found each other again on Facebook and all of those feelings I felt at school came rushing back.
“Getting married will be something neither of us will forget any time soon.