A devastated widower, Ed Calderwood, lovingly remembers his wife Aileen, who tragically passed away just 11 days after their marriage. Aileen proposed to Ed two weeks before her untimely death, taking advantage of the leap year. The couple had been in a relationship for over a decade and had often discussed getting married. However, when Aileen received the news that she had only a few days to live, they decided to tie the knot before time ran out.

Initially, Ed had planned to bring Aileen home and receive training on how to care for her. However, the doctors determined that Aileen was too ill to leave the hospital, disappointing their plans. That evening, she surprised Ed with a phone call, proposing to him and mentioning her desire to have Phil Collins' "Groovy Kind of Love" played at their wedding.

On January 19, the couple exchanged vows in a conference room at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, surrounded by a small group of close friends and family. Due to her deteriorating health, Aileen had to use a wheelchair during the ceremony. Ed found it heart-wrenching to witness her pain but chose to conceal his own distress for her sake.

Sadly, less than two weeks later, Aileen passed away. Ed, from Dumbarton, is still struggling to cope with the loss of his "best friend," but he believes she is watching over him. In memory of Aileen, he refrains from smoking inside the house, as she had prohibited it while they were together.

Ed and Aileen shared a love for motorcycles and had initially met at a bikers' rally approximately 12 years ago. They enjoyed attending racing events together and spent numerous joyous holidays at Aileen's family caravan in Portmahomack, located in the Highlands.

It is evident that Aileen was greatly cherished by her local community. Her funeral at Cardross Crematorium was attended by hundreds of friends and family, with the crematorium witnessing an unprecedented crowd. Aileen was also a founding member of the Alexandria Aikido club, having taken up the martial art at the age of 19. She excelled in Aikido, becoming only the second woman in all of Europe to achieve the prestigious 5th Dan grade.

Christina Massey, the club's vice secretary, describes Aileen as a remarkable person who had the ability to make others feel like the most important person in the world. Even when faced with her own mortality, Aileen's first thoughts were about organizing matters and ensuring the continuity of the Aikido club. She continued to support the group until the very end. Shortly after her passing, a suit that Aileen had ordered for one of the club's members arrived at the club, demonstrating her commitment.

Christina promised Aileen that she would keep the club alive and plans to run it in her memory. Ed intends to scatter Aileen's ashes at the Portmahomack caravan park during Easter, accompanied by a close circle of friends and family. He believes it is what Aileen would have wanted, as her mother's ashes were previously scattered there.