She’s making happy memories for her girls
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.”
Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine NZ dergisinin August 12 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine NZ dergisinin August 12 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
TREASURE & TRAUMA
The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal
CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!