A couple have wed in full PPE in a ceremony at Clydebank's Golden Jubilee Hospital while the groom waits for a life-saving heart transplant.
Katie and Stevie Cairns have been together for 10 years and engaged for six. Sadly, Stevie, 49, has a long term heart condition that has now left him bed-bound in hospital, waiting for a heart transplant.
The pair had been planning on getting married this April and, not to be deterred by the current pandemic, Katie and Stevie decided to go ahead with their wedding and became husband and wife.
Their wedding took place yesterday (May 19) in Stevie's hospital room, with the bride and groom in full PPE in order to keep him safe.
The day was made bittersweet after initial news that Stevie had found a heart and would receive a transplant the day of their wedding fell through.
Katie, 51, spoke to Glasgow Live about their relationship, decision to get married during lockdown and remaining positive about their future.
She said: "We met online in 2010 and first connected over a shared love for Celtic. We're both massive fans. We met for our first date in April of that year and have been together ever since. We dated for a year and saw each other on the weekends. Then we moved in together in 2012 and that was that."
Seven years ago, Stevie suffered a heart attack and was forced to undergo open heart surgery for a leaking valve, aged 42.
Katie said: "They thought it was a complete success, everything was going fine. It was two or three years later that we learnt the valve was still leaking, but they were able to give him medication for it.
"We went away on holiday in January of this year to Lanzarote. While we were there, he fainted, but wouldn't go to the doctor's over there and said he'd make an appointment when we were home. We were out with friends one night later in the holiday and he took another turn.
"He was fine on the airplane home but when we got out at Edinburgh Airport, he didn't look great at all.
By the time we got to the first flight of steps on the way out, he was grey.
"A member of staff came and took us through passport control quickly and we got a paramedic.
"He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. They discovered he had stage four heart failure and he was moved to the Golden Jubilee Hospital because he had some complications.
"He had a mini stroke which affected his speech slightly. That's been a bit of an issue."
After lockdown measures were introduced for coronavirus, Katie was unable to see Stevie in hospital anymore because of the higher dangers he would face if he contracted the virus.
The couple made the decision to put off their original wedding plans, with friends and family in attendance, and instead get married in hospital if they could get permission.
Katie explained: "We always meant to get married. We've been engaged since December 2014. We said we would definitely get married this year.
"I had to look at the practical side of things but, at the end of the day, we just wanted to be married.
"I contacted the doctor a week ago to see what could be done.
"We were originally looking to get married before lockdown and before he was confined to his bed. I had two bridesmaids and he had his two best men and we'd been hoping we could get married in a hotel. That was the original plan, but then lockdown happened and we decided to do it, even if we couldn't have family or friends there.
"I had already bought my dress. I wasn't going to wear it as it seemed a bit OTT but then I thought I better put some effort in. We got Stevie a suit as well. It was all a mad rush. My flowers were a fiver from The Range and I borrowed my shoes and tiara from my niece.
"The hospital did the room beautifully and the staff made us a three-tiered cake. It was so unexpected and lovely. Our humanist Les Green was absolutely fantastic. He said he would do it for free. He and the registrar really helped me a lot - they were just fantastic.
"I got my hair and make up done, got changed at the hospital and that was it. I stopped for doughnuts on the way to give to the staff."
On the day of the wedding, Stevie and Katie received the news that a match had been found for a heart for Stevie - meaning he would be able to receive the vital transplant surgery.
Sadly, following the wedding, they learnt that the transplant had fallen through and he would be unable to receive the heart - turning their day into a bittersweet affair.
However, despite the crushing news, Katie has a positive approach to the matter.
She said: "When I was driving to the hospital to get married, I got a call from Stevie to say they had found a heart. At first I thought he said they had found a harp, and I thought that was a bit OTT! But then when he said it again, I asked if he was pulling my leg. But he said no and he was meant to be getting the surgery that night.
"All of our family and friends were crying when I told them. I thought we couldn't have wanted a better wedding present.
"It was a very quick ceremony. Afterwards, when I was dropping off the wedding papers and was on my way home, Stevie called and said the heart was a no go. It was all just to do with logistics - apparently that is quite normal.
"The way I look at it, I didn't expect it yesterday, so you never know what tomorrow will bring."
Katie has said the hardest part of lockdown is being unable to see Stevie in hospital and only being able to contact him through video calls.
She said: "The worst thing is that I can't go through to see him anymore. We video call at least twice a day, but it's hard not being able to be with him."
Speaking of her unique wedding day, Katie said: "I'll certainly never forget it, the hospital could not have done more.
"Although we'll definitely renew our vows and do something more traditional, in a lot of ways, it can't beat that."
Katie and Stevie's celebrant, Les Gray, also shared their story on his Humanist Facebook page, speaking about the "honour" of conducting their wedding.
He wrote: "Today was one of those days when you think everything happens for a reason.
"I was here to conduct Steven and Katie’s wedding as Steven is gravely ill awaiting a new heart.
"We at Independent Humanist Ceremonies provide our services free of charge in such circumstances as it's an honour to be asked to do so."
He added: "He and Katie are grateful for today and everyone’s messages of support.
"They are delighted to finally be Mr and Mrs Cairns and together they are looking forward to a long and healthy future together."
