'I married my teenage sweetheart after 19 years together - hours later she was dead'

A bride tragically passed away in the arms of her newlywed husband and 'soulmate' mere hours after they exchanged vows. Jade Tabrar, 37, and Adam Kemp, 42, tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on November 3 as she courageously fought stomach cancer.

The mum-of-five was diagnosed in August 2023 after losing a significant amount of weight, experiencing difficulty eating during her pregnancy, and enduring severe stomach pains. The couple made the heart-wrenching decision to marry upon learning that Jade had a mere three months left to live. Tragically, just hours after their wedding at their home, Jade died in Adam's loving embrace.

Adam, from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, said: "She looked me in the eye and said she was so glad she got to be Mrs Kemp and have our family. Then her head slumped and I knew her soul had left. She had gone.

"We stayed there, our heads touching and I said: 'I love you, baby. It's okay, you can go now, no more pain'. We stayed like that for a while, just us.

"It was the most amazing day - such a perfect day. I got to finally marry the most beautiful woman in the world. I love you forever and always, Jade Louise Kemp."

The childhood sweethearts had been inseparable for 19 years and were blessed with five children. Jade began experiencing stomach pains and unexplained weight loss during her final pregnancy, but doctors initially attributed it to the additional strain on her body.

However, following the arrival of a healthy 7lb baby boy in February 2023, her health issues persisted and she underwent further tests. Doctors diagnosed her with Stage 2 stomach cancer, but the aggressive disease rapidly advanced to Stage 4 within weeks whiletshe awaited treatment.

Aldi employee Adam explained: "It floored her. It made her so ill and so sick, but she was so brave and just kept going, fighting the cancer all the way.

"And all the time being an amazing partner and amazing mother. We always knew we wanted to get married – we were soulmates and wanted to be together forever. But because we saw so many people marry and then split up after a few years, we always joked that we'd wait until our 20th anniversary and then have our big dream wedding."

In May this year the pair finally received the news they'd been hoping for – Jade was stable and could cease treatment. However, Jade's condition rapidly declined once more and weeks ago, in September, the couple confronted their worst fear.

Medical tests revealed the cancer had metastasised to her womb and ovaries and, with no further treatment options available, Jade was informed she had merely three months remaining.

Adam said: "She was so strong. She started a bucket list and all she wanted to do was make sure the children had the best Christmas. But deep down she knew she wasn't even going to make Christmas."

Jade informed Adam that this was their final opportunity to make their wedding dreams come true. They had initially planned to tie the knot on November 21, 2026, their 20th anniversary, but following the news, Adam stated they 'didn't have an option'.

Friends and a hospice team rallied together to arrange the paperwork, a registrar, a cake, and a buffet for the special day. Jade, who was adopted as a baby and had no family, dreamt of having Adam's father walk her down the aisle in a cherished bridesmaid dress she'd previously worn at his wedding.

Due to her significant weight loss, friends hastily altered the dress to fit her. A registrar officiated Jade and Adam's wedding at 2pm on Monday, November 3, in front of a small gathering of supportive friends and family.

Adam recounted: "The end was coming so quickly. We knew we didn't have long. The registrar came to our house because Jade was so poorly.

"She was wheeled up the hallway then I wheeled her into the room. I knelt down beside her during the ceremony so we could be on the same level.

"We said 'I do' and she reached up, brushed my tears away and said 'Don't cry, I love you'. Everyone there was in floods of tears and said they have never seen a wedding filled with so much love."

As guests enjoyed the wedding buffet, Adam took a weary Jade to rest on the sofa, where they shared some cherished moments. Later, after everyone had left, he helped her into her pyjamas and made sure she was comfortable, staying by her side as they reminisced about their shared memories.

Adam recalled: "Then her breathing changed. I called Willen Hospice and they came out, checked her, and said it wouldn't be long. I knew then that I would lose my soulmate on the day I married her."

Jade passed away at 10.45pm, still nestled in the arms of her new husband. Today, Adam, who has quit his job to look after the children, is consumed with grief, but finds solace in the fact that he and Jade had their beautiful wedding day.

In the meantime, worried friends have increased the target of Jade's original fundraising page to £4,000 in an effort to support the family through the difficult months ahead and contribute towards the funeral costs. The page can be viewed and donations made via GoFundMe.