Jess accepts Steve’s marriage proposal
After 18 years together, the dream of becoming a family has finally come true for Jess Mayall and Steve Branson from Waltham near Grimsby, but with a special added surprise.
Shortly after giving birth to baby Imogen on Wednesday, Steve proposed to Jess with the help of midwifery staff at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital and his new baby daughter.
Dressed in a special baby-grow just minutes after being born, Imogen delivered the surprise message, “Mummy, will you marry Daddy?” and Jess’s response was instant.
Jess said:
“It was such an amazing surprise. We’ve had many ups and downs together, but we’re thrilled to be able to start the next part of our journey as a family.
Baby Imogen pops the question!
“We have been together for almost 18 years and have been trying for a baby for almost 6 years now. In 2018 we were lucky enough to conceive with the help of the IVF team in Hull but sadly, on 5th July 2019, our daughter Ava was born sleeping at 38 weeks and 3 days.
“Imogen is our Rainbow baby; she was also conceived via IVF at Hull so it was lovely that she could be involved in this.”
Steve said:
“Now that Imogen is here it feels like a huge weight has been lifted and this just felt like the perfect time to ask Jessica to (finally) be my wife! We can finally start the next chapter of our lives with Imogen; with Ava in our hearts.
“I would like to thank everyone on the labour ward for helping me to pull this off; the care we have received has been incredible from start to finish.
Jess, Steve and baby Imogen
“We would like to express our gratitude to all of the doctors, especially Dr Tibbott who’s been amazing, the IVF team especially Dawn and Nicky, and Louise and Sarah from the bereavement team, all of whom have supported us throughout.”
Jade Barker, midwifery assistant at the hospital says:
“My colleagues and I were happy to help Steve make the proposal.
“It was so nice to be involved in something so meaningful and positive for this lovely couple after everything they have been through.”