After 10-year-old Jaxon Cooper received the shocking diagnosis that he had an aggressive brain tumour, he knew the one thing he wanted was to see his parents walk down the aisle.
For Jaxon, the idea that his mum and dad weren’t married didn’t sit well – but for his parents Jodie and Rob, there simply hadn’t been time to say “I do”.
Then, when tragedy struck and Jaxon was diagnosed in February this year, the Ballarat couple knew that they had to act fast. When Starlight Children’s Foundation arranged a Cairns trip for the family, Jodie’s friends suggested it would be the perfect setting for a beach wedding.
With Jaxon’s resounding blessing, friends organised everything from the dress and cake to the flowers.
“When I first saw Jaxon I got really choked up – I was just so proud of him,” says Jodie, 35.
As Rob, 33, watched his son walk down the aisle arm in arm with his teary mum, he too became emotional. Jaxon’s siblings were also involved in the ceremony – Tyson, 12, was his dad’s best man, Logan, 7, was the ring bearer, and Grace, 3, an adorable flower girl.
“This was really special for our little family,” says Jodie.
Jaxon thought the day was fantastic – he especially loved getting dressed up. “Mum looked so pretty,” he smiles.
“We’ll have plenty of time to be upset later,” Jodie says. “For now it’s about him and we’re trying to do as many fun things as we can.”
Donate to the Starlight Foundation to help grant a wish to a kid like Jaxon.
Read the full story and see all the photos of the family’s special day only in Woman’s Day, on sale Monday October 13.
