Narelle and Gemma

Narelle and Gemma did not let a mere distance of 400 km get in the way of them building a beautiful relationship culminating in a beautiful wedding in April 2023.

We are privileged to be able to share how they met and how their relationship developed in Narelle’s own words, taken from the application she submitted to My Wedding Wish when applying for consideration for a gifted wedding.

Tell us how you met and your love story

Gemma and I met online on a dating app for women. I had just finished treatment for breast cancer and was healing from that and a very painful breakup. Gemma had been burnt with a previous relationship as well. We both were very sure that we wanted to go slow and build something honest and real. Both of us have developed a very strong set of values that are very important to us. We both value honesty and family and compassion. When we met Gemma was living in Albany with her 5 kids and also supporting her sister. I was living in Perth with my 3 adult children. We were over 400km away from each other. The first day we met was April 12th 2022 and we instantly felt a connection. There had been a connection online and in phone calls but both of us were holding our breath hoping that it would be the same in person. Our first date lasted over 48 hours. The next months passed with us travelling every few weeks to see each other

What makes your relationship special?

Gemma makes me laugh, like full proper laughs. She’s the first person that I’ve met who gives in the same way I do. She tirelessly gives to all of the people she loves. Her children come first always and they all have their own challenges but Gemma manages their difficult schedules of healthcare visits and appointments. She supports her sister who is on a disability support pension. Plus she works at the hospice in Albany. I’ve been a midwife for 8 years and both of us are very used to falling into that caring role. Gemma loves me the way I love her and that is something I’ve never experienced before. That is what makes us special.

What obstacles, loss or hardships have you been faced with?

Initially the long distance was a hardship. Between kids schedules and work rosters we managed to find a way to be together every few weeks even if it was for only a few days. That always involved lots of driving with crazy petrol prices. There was also the baggage that past relationships had left us with. My ex partner had left me during a huge medical crisis and that left a huge rupture and massive trust issues. Gemma took that all in her stride and she was slow and gentle with me. She understood when I got scared or anxious and she never waivered in her love and strength. Our biggest hardship has been my recent diagnosis. Last month I was diagnosed with gastric cancer. That was scary enough but life wasn’t finished. After biopsies and scans we found out that the cancer was a very rare and aggressive cancer and that it had spread to my vessels as well. Gemma immediately started making plans to move herself and most of the kids to Perth. We have all squished into a 4 bedroom 2 bathroom house. We currently have 6 adults and 4 kids living here. Three of the adults have just been accepted for a rental so soon we will be able to stretch out. Gemma and I met with the oncologist this week and I start palliative chemo next week. My prognosis without treatment would be 3-4 months. With treatment hopefully I can get 14 months. A few weeks ago Gemma gave me a ring. She had initially bought the ring as a promise ring. To make a promise to me that she would never leave me. Then when she gave it to me she decided that she wanted it to be an engagement ring and I said yes!!!!

How do you foresee the future?

That’s a hard question to ask because the future feels so unsure to me. I want to spend what time I have left with my kids and Gemma and her kids making memories. I’m hoping so hard that I have an amazing response to chemo and that I become a medical miracle. I want to be here to see my kids get married and have babies of their own. I want to spend every morning waking up to my love next to me. I want to have time to make more memories with Gemma

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