REAL LIFE But as Connie recovered in hospital she heard devastating news. Marsha had been killed in a car cnish. She was just 46. 'I was heartbroken,' says Connie. 'All' could think about was Collin, who was only three. He didn't have any contact with his biological dad, so there was a chance he'd have to go into
care. My obesity meant I'd missed out on my chance to be a mum, but now I could put my grief aside to bring him up.' So Connie spent months applying to adopt Collin and, in October 2007, she was awarded full custody - making her more determined to keep losing weight. " wanted to be able to kick a ball with him. , had to stay fit to be his new mum,' she says. In March 2008, Connie reached her target weight of 13st - perfect for her 6ft frame. But something was missing from her life - love. So, in May last year, Connie tried an internet dating site for the first time. 'I was immediately drawn to a photo of one man
BEFORE 46 STONE noved a Sft-Iong stretch of n, which was 10 inches thick 1 weighed an incredible Bib. ey also gave Connie a tummy k and surgery to remove saggy n from her thighs. 'Looking at self, I was astounded. , finally i a waistline,' she says.
- Pieter Barbour. He looked so smiley. He said he was from London and worked as a bus drive~' she says. She plucked up the nerve to contact him and soon the pair were exchanging messages. They found out they both loved mountain walks and the same bands. A week later they had their first phone call. " was shy at first, but soon it was like we'd known each other all along,' Connie remembers. 'He wanted to know everything about my life. So , told him how' had adopred Collin and how' used to be obese. Then I sent him the DVD the TV company had made. 'I was so nervous about what he might say, but then I got a card in the post. He'd written, '" think you're brave and I think I'm falling for you." , was thrilled!' From then on Connie and Pierer talked on the phone almost every
day and, in October last year, they decided to meet. 'When he walked off the plane, , was bowled over. He was even more handsome than his photos!' she says. 'And he was brilliant with Collin, too - taking him go-karting and to amusement parks.' The couple couldn't bear to be parted, so Pieter made the huge decision to give up his life in the UK and move to be with Connie. " couldn't believe this man' had fallen for was prepared to change his life for me,' she says. 'He was the first man I'd ever trusted. , had no problem getting undressed and showing my stretch marks and scars to him. He said I was gorgeous, no matter what.' Then, this February, Connie was on a river cruise with Pieter, when he got down on one knee and proposed. She smiles, " said yes, immediately. I couldn't wait to be Pietee's wife and I knew he'd be a great dad to Collin.' They married in April this year in a small ceremony. 'We were both 4S and neither of us wanted to wait; she says. 'It was a day' never thought I'd see and it was perfect.' Now Connie is planning to start a health food business with Pieter. 'Ten years ago I was fat, lonely and preparing to die,' she says. 'Now I've got a husband and an eight year-old son. We're determiiIed to raise Collin so Marsha would be proud. And we're looking forward to a happy, healthy future.' eGotowww.
conniejackson.net
Woman's Own 65