Dying eight-year-old 'marries' his school sweetheart

It was a wonderful thing that the little girl did for the dying boy. But it is kind of strange too. Eight year olds should not marry anyone, even if it is a dying wish.

Kids should never have to die...

We're born with love in our hearts and we die with love in our hearts.

That eight year old is a pimp!

This story is very touching and I shed a few tears. It's really sad that he passed away. At least he went happy and he fulfilled all his dreams. There's a lesson that be taught here.

i think its awesome that he still got up and walked the day of his death. thats determination, 'specially for an 8 yr old.

Poor kid...at least he got what he wanted, it's wonderful that no one told him he couldn't get married.

Though, if he wanted to marry another little boy, would they have still said yes?

What a sweet little story and what an equally sweet little boy and girl.
Sorry to all those moaners out there...but in my (humble??) experience as a Mother of three under 12 and the Vice Chairman of a National children's charity (where many of the children are terminally ill) I've found kids of that age understand A LOT more than you guys give them credit for. I also think this will have helped the family no end...afterall you'd go to the ends of the earth to make your kids happy and these parents are no exception. I hope Reece rests in peace and that his parent's remember him as the happy little boy enjoying his "make believe" wedding.

I frankly see nothing wrong or "weird" in this story at all - it's a sweet sweet story - plain and simple.

www.freyasykes.com

i really feel for those parents and family members i wish there were more people like that in this world

That story....I just cried for a good 5 minutes!

That is so sweet. Why you gotta make me cry at work goldenways!?!? Thanks for the sweet story.

Happy trails little dude!

people never give kids enough credit when it comes to their intelligence and understanding of situations like this. I think it may even be easier for them to get it because they haven't been jaded by the world yet, they still believe in dreams and know that they come true.

Very sweet! You complainers did read that it was 'pretend' didn't you?

wow. Instant tears.

I think this story is one of the sweetest in a long time.
It's nice to know that even at a young age some can show and understand love in all it's glory.

It could have been just as much closure for the parents as was the boy, seeing their son leave in his own state of blissful love.

I find it interesting that the soul sticks around until it finishes what it came here to do. Then its time to go home.

Alright, I guess I'm going to be the dick.........8 year olds don't know love......they know attachment. They love their fav toy as much as they love their parents at that point. This is just the equivalent of when kids use to pretend to get married at recess. It's great he had a close friend, it sucks that he died so young but this has nothing to do with "True Love".

*sniffle *sniffle

That's so beautiful. Sad of course, but what a sweetheart.

That is really the most touching story I've heard in a long time. What a brave little boy, and what wonderful parents. That is really a life lesson that little girl will always have now, how precious life is.

did the girl know he was going to pass away the day after they got 'married'?

thats harsh on her. tho she helped him get his last wish, may he rest in peace

So sad, yet so sweet...rip kiddo, at least you got your wish and then to move on to the next level...much love and respect to the families...

This is very heartwarming. I think it does place a lot on the little girl though. However, I think she'll be able to understand and be proud of what she did for her friend once she's older.

Ahhhh. You all have problems with you. 8 year olds getting married, not ok.

I distinctly remember idly wondering as a child, in a "My Girl" meets "Shadowlands" sort of way, who I'd marry if I were about to die. I think this story really resonates with people because it's such a human thing to want -- nothing really 'strange' about it in the slightest.

Sadly strange... may he rest in peace.

I don't really understand this. I think loosing a son or daughter might be a very traumatising event. However, one thing is to have a playdate and pretend the kids get married while they are playing in the playroom. Another big different thing is to pretend a real wedding with 8 year old kids. I am sorry, this is not right. We all have had sweethearts at that age. The little girl does not need to know that marriage is desirable or is expected. We don't know what her interests wil be when she grows up.She for sure will remmember this day when she got married, the parents put all this together and the next day her little friend was dead. I am sure, the kids would have been happier to pretend they get married in their own terms and even to pretend they got a baby with a plastic doll in a stroller or whatever they wanted to do.
I find this sick. However, I am who to say what is the best way for parents to raise their children.

While I think it is a little weird to see an 8-year-old girl dressed up as a bride, children play family all the time, so there is no harm. It is amazing that she was such a great friend and stood by him to the end and if the mock ceremony was the little boy's last wish and it allowed him to die happy, it is all fair.

i think the girl was pushed into it.....now shes always going to have to bear with that for the rest of her life.........its a great story...but 8 years old...

God, this just tugs at my heart. An honest and pure heartfelt story.

"It is love, not reason, that is stronger than death."
- Thomas Mann-

Oh no not depressing at all.

8 year olds getting married? That's just weird and creepy. You gotta' imagine that is going to have some psychological bearing on the little girls life.

Very touching story. It reminds me of the story about the young boy whose girlfriend had a severe heart problem, and he told her that he would soon die and she could have his heart. A while later, the boy did indeed die, his girlfriend received his heart and lived.

http://tinyurl.com/5ut2fp

http://tinyurl.com/594flk

"love does not care for time nor order." -Vatsyayana

how incredibly sad. Love exists, this is proof.

i dont want to sound like a pussy, but i nearly cried

"He always tried walking, right to the end, so we thought if he walked for us then we would walk for him."

There was no better way to end that article....perfection can exist in writing/speaking---words.

And those are the kind of people that should never die. What a great family and a great share.

awww, thats so cute, and sweet, and sad. but at least he was happy.

That's a beautiful story.

aww

it's true... love knows no age

Aw, at least he got his last wish granted.

what a bittersweet story

Heartbreaking and Heartwarming. It's hard to know which is stronger in this story.

So, what happened to the little girl he married? That seems like a heavy tragedy to go on from.. she's 8 years old and returning to school and her husband for a day has passed away?

I get the sentiment though. That is sweet, and who is culture to say that letting them have a marriage ceremony is silly. That's so sad though.

wow, that pretty amazing for an 8 year old's wish to be to get married to his sweetheart, at least we know that he died happy and in love