JOY AFTER ALL THE HEARTACHE

Zephany's two families united to celebrate her wedding to Justin

- MARELIZE GRBICH

IT'S an overcast day at in Joostenbergvlakte in Cape Town's northern suburbs, but the autumn sun pierces the clouds just as the bridal party steps onto the manicured lawn of the chapel.

The mother of the bride, Celeste Nurse, walks in first with her grandchildren, Sophia (6) and Matteo (4) on each arm. She kisses her husband, Morné Nurse, who's waiting for their daughter in the middle of the aisle.

Then it's the turn of the bridesmaids with the bride's sister, Cassidy, leading the way to the front. Finally, the big moment arrives: Zephany Nurse and Michael Solomon, the man who raised her, appear under a pink arch and walk down the aisle as Thomson B's Real Love plays in the background.

Morné, Zephany's biological father, is overcome with emotion as he shakes Michael's hand and leads his daughter to the pulpit where the groom, Justin Sheldon, is waiting, smiling from ear to ear.

Having two fathers walk you down the aisle isn't traditional, but this is no conventional family.

Zephany's story made international headlines eight years ago when she discovered the family who'd raised her wasn't her family at all. She was two days old when she was stolen from Groote Schuur Hospital and grew up as Miché Solomon, the daughter of Lavona and Michael Solomon.

Her true identity was revealed after someone remarked how much another girl at her school looked like her. The girl, Cassidy Nurse, turned out to be her biological sister and she was later reunited with her family.

Zephany (25) took years to make peace with the fact she wasn't who she thought she was. For a long time she felt torn between the Solomons and the Nurses and her confusion caused a rift between her and her biological parents.

But now here they are two families celebrating the big day of the young woman they all love.