Mother-of-three After learning she had 12-18 months to live, Kerry Kenworthy, 34, told her married best friend Sian Higgins, 29, that she didn’t want to die without wearing a wedding gown at least once, gistpeople reports
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The next day, Sian “proposed” to her best friend, and the Bury St Edmunds couple began planning their wedding day.
The couple married on Valentine’s Day at Gamlingay Eco Hub in South Cambridge, with Kerry’s children and Sian’s two children in attendance.
Kerry, a developmental psychologist who has been diagnosed with incurable cancer in her spine, said she was “so grateful” to be able to enjoy the “magical” day while she still has time.
Kerry was diagnosed with cervical cancer for the first time in September 2021, when a smear test revealed abnormal cells in her cervix.
She underwent two months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy before doctors declared her in remission, and she was given the all-clear in August 2022.
Kerry, however, began to experience chest pains just months later, in November 2022, and was referred to Bedford Hospital. Doctors were unable to cure her after tests revealed that the cancer had spread to her spine.
“I was shocked, I thought I had beaten it,” Kerry said. I still had a lot to do, and the doctors told me I only had 12-18 months left.
“I would never see my children or myself marry. I desired that special day I had heard so much about, as well as the opportunity to wear the gown and be the bride. “I desired a day filled with fairy tales.”
Kerry, 40, confided in her best friends, teacher Sian and teaching assistant Claire Olivia, about her deep sadness that she would never walk down the aisle.
Sian went over to Kerry’s a week later and proposed in January 2023, after joking around about possibly marrying each other.
Given a year to live, a woman decides to marry her married best friend in order to wear a wedding gown once before she dies.
“I didn’t want her to miss out on such a fun part of life,” Sian explained.
“We met three years ago through mutual friends and hit it off. Kerry is both nice and funny. We both had kids, so we hung out in parks.”
She also stated that she has promised to care for Kerry’s daughters Lily, nine, Mia, twelve, and Violet, six, when Kerry is no longer present.
Speaking about the “wedding”, Sian said: “I know some people might not understand it but she’s my best friend.
“It felt strange because I’m already married, but friendship is more important.
“My husband loved it and supported everything, he even helped with the planning. And how to tie my tie for the big day.”
Sian even threw Kerry a “hen party” the weekend before the wedding to celebrate the upcoming nuptials, where she sat down to have afternoon tea with a close group of friends.
