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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz

'I met my future fiancé at my wedding to another man - he's even in the photos'

Kerry Swinton couldn't have imagined how her life would turn out when she walked down the aisle to get married to her now ex husband in June 2011.

During the celebrations, where 110 guests were invited, she met his friend of 20 years, Mark Taylor, who even featured in their wedding photos. She didn't know it at the time – but he would go on to become her fiancé and in another twist of fate, she would eventually save his life.

The 46-year-old woman's marriage eventually broke down, and in January 2015 she filed for divorce.

Kerry, who is from Telford, Shropshire and shares a 10-year-old daughter with her ex, went on dates and had short-term relationships, but eventually decided she wanted to stay single.

Mark was one of the 110 guests at Kerry's first wedding (Kerry Swinton / SWNS)
He even featured in their wedding photos (Kerry Swinton / SWNS)

However, that all changed when, four years later, she was looking for a local 'man with a van' to move her piano, when she stumbled across Mark's business on Facebook. Kerry employed Mark, now 52, and the pair began chatting.

She explained: "We had a nice catch up. I've known him for 15 years now.

"We spoke about relationships and he mentioned that he was seeing someone. We had a nice catch up and that was that.

"I always liked him, but never thought he was single."

A week later they were chatting "nearly every day", and he suddenly turned up with a bundle of flowers".

Kerry said: "The flowers were beautiful. He asked me on a date, and we had a lovely day together.

"I could tell immediately I would fall for him."

The rest is history and the loved-up pair would eventually move in together in November 2020.

Kerry explained: "He was lovely. It's so funny to see us in old pictures together. I can't believe he's in my wedding pictures."

But things took a dramatic turn when in December 2021 Mark suffered kidney failure due to a genetic disorder called polycystic kidney disease.

Mark suffered kidney failure, and Kerry was a 'perfect match' for donation (Kerry Swinton / SWNS)
The surgery was successful (Kerry Swinton / SWNS)

Mark started on dialysis to cleanse the kidneys, but on Boxing Day 2021 he was rushed to hospital after a constant nosebleed left him and Kerry worried.

Business-owner Kerry ultimately went on to save Mark's life, after the team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham told her she was a "perfect match" to donate a kidney.

Kerry said: "The chances were so slim. To think that after finding each other after all those years and to be a match.

"We were so emotional. After his both parents passed away due to this condition it was such a relief to him."

Kerry never thought she'd end up donating a kidney (Kerry Swinton / SWNS)
She said it was 'very surreal' (Kerry Swinton / SWNS)

She added: "I never thought the man I met at my wedding would be my perfect match.

"I thought he was kind but never imagine he'd end up being the love of my life with one of my organs. I never thought I would ever donate a kidney. It's very surreal."

Thankfully, the surgery was a success, and the two recovered at home before returning to work six months later.

Mark said: "I owe her the world. She's giving me another chance at life."

Kerry added: "I feel like more people should do this."It's barely affected my ability to work."He had my heart and now he's got my kidney."

The loved-up couple are now engaged and plan to get married next year.

Do you have a story to share? Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk

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