Tears welled up in the eyes of the groom, Idrees Mohammad, when he saw his three-year-old son slowly leading his beautiful bride down the aisle.
Brave Natalie Sanders, stunning in an ivory fishtail dress and a crystal-studded cathedral train, lit the room with her smile. Her eyes fixed lovingly on the man she wanted to marry.
Nothing would stop her from saying “I do” to the man of her dreams yesterday – not even terminal cancer.
In the parlor of the fairytale Crossbasket Castle in Blantyre, the couple held hands and exchanged vows with their precious little boy Zeke at their side – to grant Natalie’s dying wish.
It was a magical day the 30-year-old thought she would never see him after she was diagnosed with Grade 4 metastatic breast cancer last September and told she only had 12 months to live.
Stunning bride Natalie with her little hero Zeke. Pic Victoria Stewart
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But thanks to the Wedding Wish Makers charity, which launched a cry for help from kindhearted vendors and donations from friends and family, the couple had the wedding of their dreams.
Natalie from Coatbridge said, “It really was the best day of my life, second only to the day our baby was born. Zeke is our whole world and one of the reasons we got married so desperately was because he will always have fond memories of our special day.
“I was hit with so much emotion when he put his little hand in mine and led me down the aisle to the sound of the bagpipes. I couldn’t quite believe it was finally happening.
“I didn’t think I would live to see that day, especially after the doctors told me to push it, and then it kept getting postponed due to Covid restrictions or because I was really sick.
“In the end everything worked out perfectly because we were able to have 50 guests instead of the original five. The opportunity to share the day with friends and family made it even more special. “
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The couple and their guests enjoyed a fabulous dinner of cupcake favors and a wedding cake presented by one of Natalie’s work colleagues.
And there was no dry eye in the castle when the bride and groom went down for their first dance to Edwina Hayes’ moving track “Feels like Home”.
The inspiring mother, whose uncle Kevin Mcinally also accompanied her down the aisle, said, “The whole day was perfect from start to finish. Without our guardian angel Suzanne Stevenson from the Wedding Wishmakers and all providers who offered their services – from celebrants and car companies to bagpipers, photographers and videographers – we would not have made it.
The happy couple in front of Crossbasket Castle. Image: Victoria Stewart
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“My pretty cousin Charlene bought me my beautiful dress and the hairdresser worked her magic on my wig and managed to bring it to a wedding.
“I wouldn’t have had the strength or energy to plan a small wedding, let alone the wedding of my dreams. It was magical and I can’t thank everyone enough. “
Natalie, who has the faulty BRCA gene, was diagnosed with triple negative 3rd degree breast cancer for the first time in October 2019. She received extensive treatment before being told she was cancer free in May last year.
But just a month later, a painful build-up of fluid in her right breast caused concern, and doctors found the cancer had indeed spread and told her she was between six and twelve months old.
She started another radiation therapy before learning that her medical team had managed to obtain a miracle drug called talazoparib, which is currently not available from the NHS.
Natalie, who has planned her own funeral, said, “Not only was it devastating that I was told my cancer was back after everything was clear, but that it was fatal. How could I possibly have got from the clarification to the fourth stage by a large margin?
“Another good news that I was able to get down on gear was that I seem to have had a positive reaction to the test drug. My scan earlier this month showed that the cancer was stable and the lump in my breast was slightly decreasing.
“Aside from the drug, I also try alternative medications, including cannabis oil, a low-sugar plant-based diet, and drinking ionized water. I know nothing I have can cure, but the doctors hope it delays the inevitable. I will try everything to be there for my son one more day. “
She added: “Zeke keeps me going. I wouldn’t be here without him. I can guarantee that if it hadn’t been here I would have given up the fight a long time ago. He’s such a lovely little boy and his jokes are amazing.
“Idrees was also my rock during my cancer battle. We had only been out for 18 months when I got my first diagnosis. I don’t know how he coped with it. He is so kind and generous and nothing bothers you. The thought of leaving them both breaks my heart and I keep fighting for them.
“I wrote down everything I wanted at my funeral, including the music that God forbids when the day comes. I don’t think he will handle this very well, and I don’t want him to have the added stress.
“Writing Zeke’s birthday cards when I’m not here was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life because it’s so real.”
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
Idrees proposed to Natalie in January 2020 and they had planned to wait a couple of years and save. She said, “I was exhausted in bed after a chemo session and Idrees called me downstairs.
“He and Zeke both stood there and were elegantly dressed in suits. In front of them was a puzzle with a picture of us and the words: “Will you marry me?” There were rose petals all over the floor.
“I rushed upstairs to get my wig and thought,” I’m not going to be bald for my romantic proposal. “It was so special. As the prognosis looked hopeful, we decided to save up and wait a few years for the marriage. I imagined a snow-covered wedding in Switzerland.”
Natalie with her bridesmaids Charlene and Debbie McInally
Natalie, whose bridesmaids Charlene and Debbie Mcinally hosted a bachelorette party for her last month, added, “That shouldn’t be, but I wouldn’t change anything about yesterday. We have a family vacation / honeymoon planned for August but we need to see how it goes.
“I think I’ll be longer than the doctors said. They had given me through the end of August in early September, but I feel fine and my results are the same, if not better, than last year around this time so there is definitely hope. It’s hope and my two beautiful boys that keep me going.
Idrees said, “I just can’t believe it. All I ever wanted was to be married to Natalie and complete our little family. It was a fairytale day. Thanks to the charity and kindness of strangers, our dreams have come true and for that I will be forever grateful. “
– For more information or to offer your services to the charity go to https://www.facebook.com/weddingwishmakers/