Groom's Terminal Diagnosis Doesn't Deter Bride From Marrying Sweetheart
— -- When Laura Jordan began dating her husband-to-be Jack, she admits knowing it would be slightly different than an average relationship.
"We first met in 2004," Jordan, 24, of Paignton, England, told ABC News. "We actually went to the same school together. "We lost contact and I remember when I saw him after so long I said, 'Oh my, he's blossomed.'"
"I just fell in love with him. We've been engaged since January the 12th of this year," she said.
In 2013, prior to when the couple started dating, Jack Jordan, now 24, was diagnosed with leukemia.
"I knew he wasn't very well, but when we first got together he was in remission, so he was cancer free for 9 months," Laura said. "He was very protective and he said he didn’t want me to get hurt in case something happened."
"Unfortunately it did come back but I kept my promise that I wouldn’t leave his side. I suppose that’s what love does to you. You just don’t care when you know he's the one," she said.
Two weeks ago, Jack called Laura with some heartbreaking news.
"He phoned me and asked if I could come out to the hospital," Laura said. “His dad was by his bed and quite teary eyed. Jack said to me, 'I'm so sorry, nothing works. The leukemia, there's 30 percent of it in my bones.' That’s when he said, 'I'm going to die.'"
"I didn't even cry. I was just such shock," Laura recalled. "I woke up fine and then I'm told my other half was going to die."
Since doctors informed Jack that he had just a few weeks left to live, the two decided they'd tie the knot six days later.
The wedding took place April 16 in the chapel at Torbay Hospital, where Jack is currently a patient.
The two married in front of 150 guests, including Laura's 2-year-old daughter Lilly, from a previous relationship.
Laura even surprised her new husband in a traditional wedding gown.
"Jack didn’t think I could get one in such short notice," she said. "He thought I'd wear a suit or something, but my mom is an assistant at a wedding dress shop so it was all really meant to be. It was everything we ever wanted."
"Jack's such a gentleman, he should’ve been around in the 50's," Laura said with a laugh. "He opens doors for me, he's just a gift. I know that I'll never get another Jack."
In light of Jack's terminal diagnosis, Laura said she hopes the couple's story can inspire others to recognize what she feels is truly important in life.
"I want people to take away from our story that life is way too short. Doing the dishes, complaining about the unpaid bills -- that’s not real life," she said.
"I always say to people, 'Hold hands, not phones. Hug your loved ones,'" she said. "Time is something you'll never get back. Now, Jack and I can rest easy knowing we never wasted a minute."
