Best friends Katrina Hawes and Kelly Velt met in 2001 at a law firm and instantly became friends.
When Katrina, from Newcastle, Australia, got married to Corey in October 2003, Kelly was a bridesmaid.
Two years later, Kelly got married to Nathan and Katrina was a bridesmaid at her wedding.
Katrina told FABULOUS: “I was thrilled – the four of us all got on and often double-dated.”
Katrina gave birth to Riley and the next year, Kelly gave birth to Ella. Katrina and Corey went on to have Maddison while Kelly and Nathan welcomed Oliver.
However, one day, Kelly told Katrina about her severe headaches. She said: “I can’t do anything, I’m in bed all day.”
A few days later, it turned out she had an advanced brain tumor. Katrina was left devastated as Kelly was just 29.
Kelly told Katrina: “All I want is for Nathan and the kids to be happy.”
Her health deteriorated and one day, Nathan messaged her and asked her to say a final goodbye.
Katrina told Kelly: “I’m not saying goodbye, I’m saying catch up soon.”
Unfortunately, when Kelly was 31, she passed away.
Just five days after Kelly’s funeral, Katrina found out her husband Corey had pancreatic cancer.
She was left devastated as she just lost her best friend to cancer and now it’s her husband.
Corey flew to Germany to have special chemo. However, after coming back, they found out he actually had liver cancer.
Katrina said: “It’s worse than we thought.”
After 16 months, the doctors told her that her husband wouldn’t live long and he was taken into palliative care.
Katrina told her husband: “You’ve fought so hard and we’ll love you forever. But you can go now, I promise I’ll look after the kids.”
The next morning, Corey passed away at 35.
After Corey’s death, Nathan would message her and tell her to be strong for her kids and would take care of them.
One day, she found a letter that Corey left for her before passing away. The letter read:
“This is extremely difficult for me to say, but I want you to move on, to live a full and happy life. I hope one day you may find love again, someone deserving enough to share in your life and life of my children. I give you my blessings, I want you to be happy again…”
Nathan and Katrina came closer after their spouse’s death as they were going through the same difficult time.
When one day Katrina broke down in tears while remembering the good old days, Nathan hugged her.
She said: “Then, he kissed me on the lips and I kissed him back. That was unexpected.”
One year after Kelly’s death, Katrina and Nathan started dating and told their kids everything and are now happily married.
However, some friends accused them of betrayal but Katrina says she knows Kelly and Corey would be very happy for them.
She said: “I know I’m not betraying Kelly. I’m looking after her children. Our blended family means the kids don’t miss out on having a mum or dad figure.”
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