Do you remember your first love? This is the story of childhood sweethearts who drifted apart and got back together again nearly a decade later. But what might seem to be the work of destiny and true love took an unexpectedly tragic turn that would change their lives forever. And it all started with a simple request for a neck massage.
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This incredible modern-day love story has touched a lot of people all over the world. If you are a romantic, you should not miss out on this couple’s story – it could easily be the plot of a romantic movie. What makes it more touching is the fact that everything is real.
Meet Emmy and Jake
Emmy Collett and Jake Coates met each other when they were just about 11 years old in grade school. Emmy was from Luckington, Wiltshire and Jake were from Monmouth, Wales. They both attended the same primary school.
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Emmy recalled that she had a schoolgirl crush on Jake in grade school. They quickly became each other’s first love when they were 13 years old. Back then, Jake told Emmy that she was his lobster, a famous reference from the well-loved TV sitcom, FRIENDS.
Parting ways
But it was not until they were 16 years old that they considered themselves to be official sweethearts. From an innocent school crush to blossoming first love, Emmy and Jake’s feelings for each other grew and intensified over the years.
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When they were in high school, Jake wrote Emmy a note that said “You are my everything and if you still can put up with me, I will marry you one day.” But as high school was coming to an end, the two were faced with a crossroad now that they seriously had to think about their future. Sadly, the two decided to part ways as they went on to attend different universities.
The spark is still there
While they were in college, Emmy and Jake still kept in touch despite their breakup. They were not as close as they were before but it turned out that they were able to rekindle everything when they met each other again 10 years after the breakup. By this time, Emmy and Jake were in their 20s and pursuing their own careers. Jake was a doctor in Sydney, Australia and Emmy was a teacher in London.
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When they met up, the spark was still there and it seemed that the picture-perfect pair were always destined to be with each other. Rekindling their relationship would mean a long-distance relationship for them but they were both determined to make it work.
Making things work
The couple did everything they can to stay connected. Communication was very important in maintaining a long-distance relationship. They did FaceTime every day and every time they have a short time off, they would visit each other. They also spent long vacations together, traveling around the world.
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As time passed, the couple started thinking about planning a life together. Jake, in particular, did not forget the note he gave Emmy in high school where he promised he would marry her one day. While a lot of young lovers make promises of marriage and being together forever, Jake was very excited that he was one of the few who followed through. He planned their next vacation to be a romantic trip to the Philippines. He planned to propose to Emmy on a cliff to a backdrop of fireworks there.
A neck massage
But that romantic trip to the tropics never happened. One day, Emmy was in Australia to visit Jake and on the last day of her visit, she asked Jake to give her a neck massage. It was a simple request but the moment Jake placed his hands on Emmy’s neck, their lives would be changed forever.
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Jake noticed something that made him freeze. Jake felt a lump in Emmy’s neck, and as a doctor, he immediately felt worried. Jake felt a chill in his body. He tried to judge Emmy’s reaction to his touch but she seemed oblivious to anything.
The check-up
It occurred to Jake that Emmy might not be aware of the lump. Since Emmy was scheduled to return to London the next day, Jake calmly told her to make an appointment as soon as she got home to have the lump checked. When Emmy returned to Britain, she went to her general practitioner for a checkup. They were supposed to leave for the Philippines in a few days so she wanted to get this over with.
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Emmy received her diagnosis the day before they were scheduled to travel. Her fantasies of long days on the beach drinking daiquiris soon disappeared from her head when the doctor gave her a devastating diagnosis. The trip had to be canceled.
An unexpected diagnosis
Emmy had a rare type of thyroid cancer that had already spread to her spine, bones, liver, and lungs. What made it worse is that there was no known cure for Emmy’s condition. Emmy was one of the youngest people in Britain who had the condition.
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When Jake found out, he immediately made arrangements to move back to Britain to be with Emmy. It had only been six months since they rekindled their relationship but Jake had dropped everything, including his job, to be with her. He was unconvinced that their love story would reach its end.
Facing the tragedy together
Once Jeff was in London, the couple decided to face this trial together. Emmy was always a strong, optimistic woman and she was determined not to give in to cancer. The couple decided to make the most of their time together because they did not know how much time they had left.
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Emmy was told she would not be able to sunbathe again because of the medication so the two ran away for a quick 5-day trip to Dubai before Emmy started treatment. It was Emmy’s last chance to enjoy the sun and it provided her with a much-needed R&R time. When they came back after their trip, Emmy was recharged and ready to fight off cancer.
More bad news
Emmy was then admitted to the hospital to receive prime care. Family and friends rallied around the couple to give support and help. “Love truly is the best drug and I have been totally smothered in it,” Emmy had said to express her positivity about the situation.
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Unfortunately, Emmy and Jake received further bad news. Specialists told Emmy that had she been diagnosed earlier, it would have been possible to make a full recovery. At this stage, it was too late. As if that was not enough, the couple was told that Emmy would not be able to have children because of the treatment.
Another broken dream
Emmy was saddened by the second news. As a teacher, it has always been her dream to have a child of her own. But despite the bad news and heartbreak, Emmy remained positive. She was young and she was determined to give cancer a good fight.
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Her future was unclear now that she would not be able to make a full recovery. But Emmy wanted to make the most of what is left of her life. She believed that because she was still young, she can still bargain for more time.
Staying active
Emmy was not a woman who likes to dwell in self-pity. She was determined to stay upbeat and active while she still can. In fact, Emmy and Jake started a fundraiser for the Royal Marsden Hospital, where she was getting treatment for her cancer.
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The couple completed a 2,000-kilometer bike ride from London to Copenhagen. The charity ride raised over £140,000 for the hospital. The couple then got matching bike tattoos to mark the feat.
The proposal
Jake wanted to cherish every moment he had left with Emmy. He set aside his grand destination proposal and settled for an ordinary one. Jake asked Emmy to marry him while they were having tea. Emmy, of course, said yes!
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The wedding planning was something that distracted Emmy from the taxing cancer treatments she had to endure. She looked forward to the big day, knowing that happiness and true love was waiting on the horizon.
The big day
In September 2016. Emmy and Jake tied the know in front of their closest and dearest. Knowing how the two have loved each other since childhood and the battle that Emmy was facing, there was not a dry eye on the big day.
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There was no doubt that Emmy and Jake were each other’s soulmates. This was a love that was meant to be. It was a very emotional ceremony and although they knew their future together had a time limit, the two were beaming with happiness and love.
Getting recognition
Emmy had started a blog where she detailed her heartbreaking but inspirational battle with cancer. She was also able to author a couple of children’s books while she was doing the treatment. Her blog had gained a lot of followers as a lot of cancer patients related to her struggle and was inspired by the couple’s love story.
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Jake, in the meantime, was recognized as ITV Fundraiser of the Year by the Pride of Britain Awards because of his charity work in support of the hospital. It did not take long for the couple’s love story to go viral.
A double-edged sword
For Jake, being a doctor was both a blessing and a curse in the situation. His profession came in handy when it comes to tending to Emmy, giving her injections, cleaning up her stitches, and monitoring her condition. He was also available to explain to Emmy all the medical jargon that she could not understand.
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But it also felt like a painful responsibility when he had to be truthful to his wife about her deteriorating conditions. Emmy asked him questions about what she was going through that were difficult for him as Emmy’s husband.
Fulfilling a dream
Despite everything they were going through, Emmy and Jake wanted to fulfill their dream of becoming parents. Emmy had shared in her blog the news that she will not be able to bear a child because of her condition, but they plan to have a surrogate carry their child.
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The reproductive specialist had taken enough samples from Emmy and Jake to produce nine viable embryos. Before she knew it, a lot of women contacted her offering to be the surrogate as a way to help out the couple.
A former schoolmate saves the day
One of the women who came forward was their former schoolmate, Liz Begg. Liz was touched by the couple’s story. She was a mother of one who had been reading Emmy’s blog. When she read about their plans to get a surrogate, Liz just knew that she wanted to help. When the three decided to meet up, Liz was blown away by how positive Emmy was. “She’s incredible. The best way to describe her is gracious,” Liz shared.
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Emmy was already going through chemotherapy at that time so they had to do several more meetings with Liz before she and Jake agreed that Liz was the surrogate mother they were looking for. Emmy and Jake accompanied Liz during the implantation procedure and stayed by her side the whole time. They were excited for the possibility of having a baby in their lives – a part of Emmy to live on in case something happened to her.
Good and bad news in a day
Three weeks after the implantation procedure, Emmy and Jake met up with Liz for the pregnancy test. The three of them sat together and watched the pregnancy tests turn positive. Jake and Emmy were very happy. Liz recalled seeing the hope in Emmy’s eyes and feeling incredible that she could do this for the couple.
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Sadly, that day was the last time she would ever see Emmy. After seeing the pregnancy tests, Emmy could barely keep her eyes open. She laid down to rest and never woke up. Emmy passed away on June 16, 2017, after battling thyroid cancer for 18 months. She was just 31 years old.
The tragedy continues
Jake took the death of his wife hard. He felt lost and empty without her. Jake only found comfort at the thought that she died happy knowing that they had a baby on the way. But the tragedy did not end with Emmy’s death. While in the process of grieving for Emmy, the surrogate’s pregnancy was unsuccessful. Jake had to endure another heartbreak. They tried to do the procedure two more times before Jake decided to stop.
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Jake explained that every failed attempt was very painful for him. He, later on, spoke up about Liz being the most selfless and thoughtful person and expressed that he would be forever grateful to her for everything that she had done for him an Emmy.
Jake found comfort in the thought that Emmy has their baby with her in heaven.
A grieving husband
The sad and tragic love story of Emmy and Jake was viral in Britain and caught the attention of other people from all over the world. Jake had been actively posting bittersweet reflections and commemorations about Emmy since her death and a lot of people ached for the doctor who had lost his childhood love less than a year after they were married.
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A lot of people were very invested in their story and watched how Jake was moving on. Jake had been very open about his grieving. For a while there, it felt like he had lost any direction in his life. Then, a development in Jake’s personal life made headlines months later after Emmy passed away.
A new love
It turned out that Jake found new love just 8 months after Emmy passed away. The 32-year-old doctor revealed in his social media account that he was surprised to find love again in event planner Jenna Selby, who happened to be a single mom to a young boy. He had announced that Jenna would be accompanying him to Iceland for his marathon training. It can be recalled that Jake vowed to run 10 marathons to raise funds in Emmy’s memory.
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According to Jake, Jenna and her son brought some sunshine back into his life. It gave him that final nudge that he needed to start moving on and living life to the fullest once more. Although it was unclear when the relationship started, the news brought out a lot of reactions.
Public criticism
Given that his love story with Emmy was highly publicized, the public who had been following the couple had a lot to say about Jake’s new love. A lot of people had pointed out how much Jenna looked like Emmy. Some media outlets also dubbed Jenna the lookalike of Emmy. Jenna had the same green eyes and brown hair as Emmy. It was very eerie how much they look alike.
Source: NY Post
Some people had criticized Jake for going public with his new love just 8 months after Emmy passed away. For them, it was too soon and was disrespectful to Emmy’s family. Emmy’s family felt the same way. Emmy’s sister, in particular, was very distraught about this development and had gone public about her disappointment in how insensitive Jake was.
Another failed chapter
Some people were happy that Jake was able to open up his heart and find love again. A lot of commenters had defended the doctor, saying that he was able to give his best to Emmy and that he deserved to be happy again. But the new relationship did not last long. It seemed all the harsh criticisms had gotten to the heads of the new couple and Jenna and her son moved out of the house that she and Jake had shared.
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Despite all the negativities and harsh criticism about his new relationship, Jake mustered the strength to move forward with his life. While Jake is starting to move on, he assured everyone that Emmy will always hold a special place in his heart and that he will never forget her. For one, Jake still volunteers at The Royal Marsden Hospital. He also continues to do charities and fundraisers in Emmy’s name for the hospital. Jake also does an art class for the hospital’s children’s unit.