Not only do pediatric doctors and nurses have the difficult job of treating sick children, they also work tirelessly to ensure that an ill child remains as comfortable as possible during their hospital stay, and that they get their wishes granted.
4-year-old Abby Sayles, a cancer patient at the Melodies Center at Albany Medical Center in New York, had only one wish while fighting for her life: she wanted to marry her crush and favorite nurse, Matt Hickling.
As soon as Hickling caught wind of Abby's wish, he and his fellow staff members started planning the nuptials so the little girl can cross one thing off her bucket list.
In less than 24 hours, everyone gathered together in the preschooler's hospital room to celebrate the adorable union with a ceremony that included flowers donated by a local florist, a cake, and a toy car that read "Just Married," which Abby got the chance to get a ride in.
Abby, who is battling Pre-B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, had all the attention on her as she walked over rose petals to exchange ring pops with Hickling.
Luckily for us, the heartwarming event was captured on camera by one of the nurses, and Hickling also took to Facebook to share photos from the big day.
Hickling shared a snap of him and Abby posing for pictures after the ceremony along with the caption, "Our patient shyly asked me to marry her," he wrote. "I didn't hesitate to say yes, I got a HUGE hug and we sealed the deal with ring pops being placed on our fingers!"
Hickling arrived dressed in a tuxedo T-shirt complete with a boutonniere, while the blushing bride rocked a white dress, black leggings, a headband veil, and a bouquet of pink and purple flowers.
Some of the staff served as bridesmaids, while a few others took on the role of photographers and videographers.
"This day will hopefully be one our patient and her family can always look back on and smile when days are tough! I know I will!" Heckling added.
Abby's mom also took to Facebook to share both her and her daughter's sentiments about the special day.
"As I'm sure you may have seen, Abby married Matt today," read the post, which has since been deleted. "I know the people at the Melodies Center and know their creativity and thoughtfulness but never expected all of this. Abby's response...'This is the best day ever!' We are both in awe from today's visit and smiling ear to ear."
The mom thanked everyone involved in making her daughter's wish come true, especially Nurse Hickling.
"Blessed to have all these people in our lives," she concluded.
You can watch the video of the entire ceremony below:
So today I got to help make a 4 year old leukemia patient's "wedding" to her favorite nurse Matt Hickling happen at the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancers at AMC. Thanks to Scott Wright and the team at the Enchanted Garden for donating your time and amazing flowers and to everyone at AMC that helped pull this together in less than 24 hours. You people are amazing. THIS is why we go into nursing.
Posted by Lori Ciafardoni on Thursday, July 16, 2015
15-months after the nuptials, Abby completed her chemotherapy treatment, and threw another "Best Day Ever" party with her closest friends, family, and of course Nurse Hickling.
After regaining her strength, Abby had the opportunity to have her first dance with Hickling at an event to raise awareness for pediatric cancer.
So precious!