Dying Bride's Perfect Day - My Final Dream Has Come True

She’s making happy memories for her girls

- Cloe Willetts

It’s a sunny Saturday afternoon in Christchurch and the light streams down Litisha Cleave’s back, giving her an angelic glow. Riki Boyle stands in front of his bride, gently rubbing the side of her hand and taking in her beauty, as their daughters Hazel, four, and Lylah, three, watch on in pale pink tutus.

It’s one of the biggest days of Litisha’s life, shared with 300 teary-eyed guests on the stunning grounds of Amberley House. Thanks to family and friends, the wedding’s been pulled together in less than a month, so the 30-year-old registered nurse can fulfil her dream of marrying her best friend.

Sadly, after a fierce battle with breast cancer, Litisha’s been told it’s terminal. And she only has weeks, possibly days, to live.

“I really wanted the kids to see Mum and Dad get married – it means a lot to me,” she says talking to Woman’s Day after the emotional ceremony. “I feel lucky I have the opportunity to do this because for a lot of people, death can be quite sudden, but I’ve had time to prepare.”

When the bubbly bride met Riki, 29, six years ago at a friend’s Post Shop in Waimate, where he was working as a plasterer, he was besotted by her brown eyes and smile. “She was gorgeous,” recalls Riki, who hunted her down on Facebook afterwards.

Throwing her wide smile at the man she describes as a big teddy bear, Litisha teases, “Was gorgeous? I am gorgeous.”

Three months after their first date, playing pool at a pub, the pair found out they were pregnant with Hazel.

“I went into labour on my graduation day, so I didn’t make it!” says the Plunket healthcare worker. “But I was blessed with a beautiful girl.”