‘I had a reason to get up in the morning’

that I liked. Seeing he was online, I dropped him a message. It was a simple ‘hi’.

‘Hi babe,’ a reply flashed up almost immediately. From then on, we chatted non-stop.

Simon told me all about his life in Bridlington, Yorkshire. I felt like I could be myself with him and we swapped pictures. He was good looking, tanned and had gorgeous silver hair.

I even told him about my weight, which by now was around 45st.

‘It doesn’t matter to me, you’re beautiful,’ he’d say. For the first time in years, I had a reason to get up in the morning.

Three months on, he said he was thinking of booking a holiday. Taking a deep breath, I typed… ‘Why don’t you come and visit me in Arizona?’

I held my breath, waiting for his reply. ‘I’d love to,’ he said.

My stomach was in knots. Would he go through with it? Within a week, he’d sent me pictures of his flight confirmation. I was ecstatic.

‘He must really like me,’ I told my dad when he visited me. ‘Just be careful,’ he warned. Already, I knew in my heart that Simon would never hurt me. On the day of his arrival in September 2010, the nurses were buzzing around, as excited as I was.

They got me up early, washed me and I put on a nice, clean T-shirt and leggings. At my size, there wasn’t much choice in the wardrobe department.

‘He’s here!’ one of my nurses shouted and she took me outside in my wheelchair. Bending down to hug me, the first thing he said was: ‘Shannon, you’re beautiful!’ I felt instantly reassured.

We chatted for hours – it felt so natural. He stayed the night, and we shared a magical kiss. Simon ended up staying six weeks. Not long after he’d returned to the UK, he went out to get a tattoo to mark his visit.

When he visited again, I asked to look at his new inking and as he pulled up his sleeve, he whipped out a box. Getting down on one knee, he revealed a stunning diamond ring.

‘Shannon, I never thought I could be this happy. I know it hasn’t been long, but will you be my wife?’ he asked. I couldn’t say yes quickly enough! I was so happy but hated that we lived so far apart.

‘Keep this and think of me,’ he said as he went to get his flight home, handing me his T-shirt. I slept with it every night as it smelled of him.

Back home, Simon was miserable. He missed me so much he’d even watch me sleep on Skype! Just a month later he was back, and we made plans to marry in my nursing home in March 2011.

I was still over 40st, so one of the nurses had to make me a white wedding dress from bits of fabric sewn together.

I whizzed down the aisle to meet Simon in my wheelchair. Despite my size, it was a magical day. ‘I feel like the luckiest lady alive,’ I told him afterwards.

In time, we found our own place and Simon became my full-time carer, but I’m trying really hard to get healthy.

Now, at 40, I go to the gym twice a week and try to control my diet – Simon is my rock… I couldn’t do it without him. Last time I was weighed I was over 52st, but I’m hoping I can lose enough weight for us to start a family. I’m worried it may be too late, but with Simon by my side, I’m invincible.

‘Shannon needs help with pretty much everything – simple things that we take for granted, so I have become her caregiver and I’m more than happy to look after her. It hasn’t been easy but I’ve come to terms with it.’