A dying little girl whose final wish was to get married 'tied the knot' with her childhood sweetheart, just days before passing away from leukaemia.
Ten-year-old Emma Edwards was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in April last year, but her parents Alina, 39, and Aaron, 41, were initially optimistic that the youngster would be able to beat the illness.
But sadly in June, they were given the devastating news that Emma’s cancer was incurable and she only had days to live.
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After being told the heartbreaking news, Emma’s parents decided to set about making her dream of marrying her boyfriend a reality.
Alina said Emma and ten-year-old Daniel Marshall Christopher Williams Junior, also known as DJ, had once attempted to get hitched during their lunch break at school when they were just eight.
Family and friends gathered to put on the dream ‘wedding’ in June, with more than 100 guests in attendance.
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Alina, from Walnut Cove, North Carolina, USA, said: "Most kids want to go to Disneyland but Emma wanted to get married, be a wife and have three kids.
"She was a sweetheart. I always say we must have made marriage look really fun because that's all she wanted.
"Their teacher spoke at their wedding and said they tried to have a wedding at recess.
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"They had a bridesmaid and groomsmen and kids came to class with clip on ties. It was really cute but the teacher said there wasn't going to be a wedding in her class.
"When me and DJ's mum found that out, we said we had to let them get married. It had to happen super fast.
"We threw it together in less than two days, everything ended up being donated.
"It was so precious and it came together so well. Her dad gets to say he gave her away.
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"A friend of ours officiated, a friend read a verse from the bible and her best friend was maid of honour.
"Everyone got to see her who hadn't been able to. When you have cancer, you're secluded.
"Emma was a social butterfly so it was hard for her to be away from everyone. Her doctors came, nurses, teachers, family, friends, everybody.
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"She was in a lot of pain when we got her dressed. It wore her out but she wanted to hold off on pain meds because she didn't want to fall asleep at her wedding.
"DJ is the sweetest soul you'll ever meet. He has a heart of gold and he really loves Emma."
Emma sadly passed away on 11 July, but her parents say they're grateful they could help her achieve her dream before she died.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Claire Reid