SYDNEY, N.S. — After 30 years, Tim Toomey says he finally got to marry the woman of his dreams.
Toomey and Cayla Gouthro married at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on Wednesday.
“She’s the most beautiful woman, the love of my life,” he said by phone, while by his wife’s bedside on Friday. “I love her with all my heart and soul.”
Daughter Haley Toomey, 22, said this is a ‘tragic love story.' Her mother recently had a brain tumour removed and the prognosis isn’t good.
“We’re hoping everyone will hope and pray with us for a miracle,” she said sadly.
Tim and Cayla first met 30 years ago at the Main Event in Glace Bay.
“The attraction was instant,” Tim said.
Although several years later they had a daughter together, their lives took different directions. Ten years ago, Tim said they got back together for good.
“I’ve never been happier since we got back together,” he said.
Haley said her parents were on and off over the years and she was ‘over the moon’ after they reunited 10 years ago. On June 29, 2019, her parents got engaged.
“They were so much in love it would make me gag,” she said jokingly.
On the day in question, close friends and family gathered at their house, but such gatherings were not uncommon.
“It was all a big surprise,” Haley said. “I helped my father put it all together.”
While Haley ran to the car for the flowers, Tom went upstairs to get the ring.
“He got down on one knee and asked her to marry him," she said. “I think that was the best day of my life.”
“It’s the most tragic love story ever. We’re hoping for a miracle now.”
The couple was set to marry Sept. 5 at the Seniors and Pensioners hall in Tablehead.
However, things took a turn in March. Haley said her mother began having constant chronic migraines. On April 9, suddenly Cayla couldn’t walk or talk and was rushed to the Glace Bay
Hospital by ambulance. Later transferred to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, an MRI revealed a tumour on the right side of her brain. On April 10, she was operated on at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.
“The tumour was the size of a peach,” Haley said. “They were able to get 90 percent of it out.”
Six days later Cayla was able to go home.
On Monday, Cayla was in extreme pain and couldn’t walk or talk again and was rushed to the regional hospital. On Tuesday, Cayla’s sister Debbie Nicholson came up with the idea for the couple to marry in the hospital room.
“My mother’s prognosis wasn’t good,” Haley said sadly. “And it was her dream to marry my dad.”
On Wednesday, Haley said her uncle John Wilcox got the marriage certificate, justice of the peace Sheila O'Brien-MacDonald came on board and the nurses decorated the hospital room.
Haley said the nurses were incredible especially RN Amanda Styles.
“She just ran with it, she was amazing,” she said. “The whole thing was able to be put together in 10 hours.”
Styles said the nurses got a cake and flowers. After work, she ran home and got her wedding decorations and they decorated the room.
Styles said the ceremony was beautiful.
“There are restrictions in place. This was a special exception based on compassionate grounds,” she said. “Things like this are the reason why I became a nurse. I was very happy to be able to do this for them.”
GUESTS LIMITED BY RESTRICTIONS
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, only Tim, Haley and the JP were permitted in the room. Haley said her brother Ryan Toomey was outside in the parking lot for support.
“The nurses were so nice, he was allowed in for a few minutes afterwards.”
Haley said it was an incredible feeling watching her parents marry.
“It’s the most tragic love story ever,” she said. “We’re hoping for a miracle now.”
Tom said so many people played a part in seeing him marry the woman of his dreams, including City Print Plus – where his wife works – who made a wedding banner. He was so proud his daughter and son were able to be there too.
Tim said things are tough. Cayla had tests on Friday but was having a good day.
Meanwhile, after they were finally happily married Wednesday – after all these years — Tim said his wife looked at him and said, “I guess I’m off the market now right? I’m taken now.”
Tim said she sure is off the market.
“She’s the woman of my dreams, the love of my life,” he said. “I love her with all my heart and my soul.”
