CHICAGO (WLS) — A suburban couple planned for Friday to be a special day: their wedding day.
It was not as they originally planned, but indeed it was a very special day.
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Bride Ivy Harris came down the aisle for a scaled-down version of her wedding.
Due to groom Darren Wiley receiving medical treatment and awaiting a bone marrow transplant at Loyola University Medical Center, their wedding ceremony was limited to just ten attendees.
Just two weeks ago, a routine blood test revealed Wiley had leukemia needed immediate intervention.
“I feel good grateful I could come down here has a minor hiccup, but minor setbacks come to major comebacks,” Wiley said.
The couple had chosen Friday as their wedding date, which also holds significance as their home address. Despite the imminent arrival of their first child, Harris, they decided to proceed with the wedding date with the assistance of hospital staff.
When people get married in sickness and in health, they are thinking when they are older… He’s sick now, but when he’s healthy, it will be good.
“I was not expecting this everything was done so quickly, and decently,” Harris said. “Yeah, I really appreciate that.”
As Wiley’s immune system is vulnerable, all wedding participants wore masks, and Wiley had to seek approval from his medical team before kissing the bride.
After a two year courtship, they are officially husband and wife .
“Oh yeah, I was going to kiss her anyway,” Wiley said. “They would have been mad.”
On Friday, the spiritual center at the hospital was transformed for their wedding reception, with decorations and dining organized by the staff.
“It’s a great feeling, very much joyful,” said Stephanie Welsh Walker, Loyola University Medical Center manager of spiritual care. “Yeah, I’m really excited for them.”
“When people get married in sickness and in health, they are thinking when they are older. We don’t usually think when we are young and able,” Harris said. “He’s sick now, but when he’s healthy, it will be good.”
“I can’t wait for [the] baby… to come out and spend the rest of my life with Ivy,” Wiley said.
“We are expecting out baby next month, so hopefully he can be there for the birth and the rest of her life when she is here just expecting good to come out of it,” Harris said.
The couple hopes to have a honeymoon in Iceland someday. For now, they are grateful for today.
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