We married a week before baby arrived
Mary and Selwyn
Mary and Selwyn Leef married only eight days before their baby was born.
In a wedding planned in only three weeks, the Revd David Wheeler married the couple in St John’s Church, Irlam in Manchester.
Because everyone is welcome to get married in their parish church, Selwyn and Mary headed for their local church. They found a great welcome from the Vicar, who ‘put a lot of effort in above and beyond the call of duty’.
Selwyn is a New Zealand national, so the service included elements from the Maori tradition. Selwyn and Mary wore Maori cloaks, and the wife of a Maori elder offered a traditional welcome cry as Mary entered church.
There was traditional Maori music, and the Vicar even learned a Maori phrase especially for the service.
Mary said, ‘David was absolutely wonderful. It was definitely meant to be that he came in to our lives. We couldn’t have asked for a better day and he has been an immense support ever since.’
Te Koha, (meaning gift) arrived safely the following week. The family now split their time between the Catholic and Anglican Church.
David said, ‘It’s a privilege to be able to help such a lovely couple, with such life-changing events.’
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