A couple with Down Syndrome Andrew and Leah Taylor-Jones from Runcorn, Cheshire, finally married in an emotional wedding at a beautiful Alice in Wonderland tea-party-themed wedding in June last year.
In a Mirror exclusive article, the pair shared their love story to remind everyone that their special someone is "just around the corner," which is her father's advice every time a relationship does not work.
Dreaming of a perfect wedding
Leah said that she was a bit shy when she was younger. She always dreamed of a perfect wedding to show how much she loved somebody in front of the family.
Before she met Andrew, Leah said she considered applying for Channel 4's Undateables, a program that helps match those who feel unlucky in love.
Her mom said that ever since Leah was born, they have always wanted her to have access to everything her brothers had. Having a relationship was what they, as parents, have always longed for her because it is also what she wanted.
Then Andrew just came into the picture. The mom said that it was brilliant because they got on so well.
The couple said that it was love at first sight. But when he first asked him out, she said no because she said she needed a chance to think about it.
When he asked her again, she finally said yes. Leah noted that Andrew, 43, is her best friend and someone she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
Andrew, who works as a store assistant at Asda, proposed to Leah on his 38th birthday at a local restaurant.
He said he had been single for nine years and hoped to meet that special someone to spend the rest of his life with.
He said he knew that she was the "one" when she saw her.
The Alice in Wonderland Wedding
The couple was forced to postpone their wedding several times due to COVID-19. Finally, they celebrated their marriage with 28 guests at All Saints Church in Daresbury.
It was an intimate ceremony with Andrew recording a version of his favorite song. The songs featured in the wedding were Beautiful in White by Westlife and A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.
The couple plans to celebrate their full wedding reception with more than 100 guests to invite their friends and families who did not make it to their big day due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Couple with Down Syndrome Celebrates the 25th Anniversary
Marriage among couples with Down Syndrome is maybe rare, not unique. In 2019, Today featured Paul and Kris Scharoun-DeForge, the couple who both had Down Syndrome celebrated 25 years by renewing their vows. Less than a year after their silver anniversary, however, Paul died from complications of dementia. The couple is believed to have the longest marriage for couples who both had Down Syndrome. They are the first Down Syndrome couple in the world to get married.
According to BrightVibes, the two met three decades ago at a dance, and it was love at first sight.
Many people initially opposed their marriage, but their union proved that people with intellectual disabilities, one of the limitations of people with Down Syndrome, can have a fulfilling marriage.
