Happy Houston couple tie knot

But, just six months into their relationship, the couple’s world came crashing down when Brian was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

As a nurse, Gillian knew all about the life-limiting neurological condition, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles.

The Houston woman was only too aware the disease is rapidly progressing, can cause the patient to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided and, ultimately, is terminal.

Brian, who was working as a consultant cardiologist, also knew the difficult road that lay ahead for him.

That’s why he offered Gillian a ‘get out clause’ by asking her if she wanted to walk away.

His offer was politely refused.

“I’m totally in love with Brian and there wasn’t one part of me that considered not being on this journey with him, even though he gave me the option,” said 49-year-old Gillian.

“Some people go through life and never experience this feeling with someone or have what we have together. I wasn’t going to give that up.

“We knew it was going to be a massive challenge but, being a nurse, I knew what was going to be involved and I feel that has helped us stay one step ahead of MND.

“We work really hard at finding the balance between me caring for Brian and maintaining our relationship as partners.”

Gillian and Brian were working together at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow, when they started dating in 2018.

The devastating news that Brian had MND was delivered in February 2019.

Brian, 48, said: “I had not long begun my relationship with Gillian and was supposed to be starting a new chapter in my life.

“Then to be given that diagnosis was heartbreaking. I was utterly devastated. I knew what it meant. There’s no hope of treatment, of stalling it or getting any better, so you have to cope with thinking about that, on top of the physical deterioration.

“I thought Gillian and I couldn’t continue our relationship but she’s stayed with me and has been an amazing support. I couldn’t have been looked after better and know I would be much worse without Gillian in my life.”

In March last year, when the country went into lockdown, the couple initially made the decision not to see each other, as Gillian was still working at the hospital.

She said: “I was so scared of bringing Covid back to Brian, so for the first seven weeks, other than dropping off food and supplies, we didn’t see each other.

“It was so hard not being together when you don’t know how much time you have.”

Brian, who is now in a wheelchair and uses a ventilator to help him breathe, added: “Spending time with the people you love is what matters. It enriches your life.

“I live alone and spendingseven weeks shielding by myself at the start of the pandemic was horrendous. It came to the stage where I thought ‘I have a terminal illness. I don’t know how much time I’ve got and I’m not spending it alone’.”

Then, in November, Brian decided to pop the question to Gillian over a candlelit dine-in-at-home meal.

Gillian, a specialist nurse in cardiology, said: “I had no idea he was going to propose. I was so shocked it took me a few minutes to say anything. I think he thought for a second I was going to say no.

“Working together for years, I’ve seen Brian in emergency situations, literally life and death, and he has always been as cool as a cucumber but he was visibly sweating and anxious when he asked.”

Brian added: “I was definitely nervous but, honestly, this is the only decision in my whole life that I knew was one hundred per cent right, no hesitations.”

After months of waiting for Covid restrictions to lift, the couple tied the knot at a hotel in Glasgow on Thursday, surrounded by 39 of their closest friends and family.

They also live streamed the ceremony to those who couldn’t attend, with many dressing up for the occasion and holding their own garden parties at home.

Gillian was walked down the aisle by her sons Sean, 20, and Scott, 17, while Brian’s 14-year-old daughter Catherine was a bridesmaid and his son Jack, 20, was best man.

“We wanted to get married as soon as possible and originally thought about going to a registry office but, with only two witnesses, it meant we couldn’t even have our four kids there, so we held off until restrictions eased,” said Brian.

“We’ve finally got here and it’s all worked out amazingly.”

Brian, who has had to give up work as a result of his illness, is keen to share the couple’s story to help raise awareness of MND.

Jack is also doing his bit by taking on a gruelling Ironman triathlon challenge later this year in aid of MND Scotland.

“I’m so glad we were able to share the day with friends and family and also raise awareness of MND,” said Brian. “We’ll continue doing what we can for the cause.

“I’ve tried my best to keep a positive attitude, especially for the kids. Trying to be positive helps you to actually feel positive.

“I don’t want to waste my life away thinking about MND, I want to make the most of my life and enjoy it while I can, with the people I love.”

Anyone who would like to give a wedding gift to Brian and Gillian can do so by supporting Jack’s Ironman challenge at hus JustGiving page.

More information about MND is available at MND Scotland.