Woman given just days to live marries partner of 19 years: 'I try to be as strong as I can for her'

A couple that has been together for 19 years has finally tied the knot, although the circumstances are incredibly heartbreaking. Becky Mason, 69, and George Kelley, 72, got married on Thursday after learning she had just days to live, according to ABC affiliate KOCO-TV.

"One thing led to another, and 19 years later, we're here. We're getting married," Kelley told the outlet. She was diagnosed with colon cancer three years ago and had been fighting for her life ever since. Through it all Kelley stood by her. “I’ve been her caregiver and her friend and her lover, and I’ll continue to be all of those things until she passes," he said.

The pair met for the first time "over 19 years ago on the dance floor," according to a GoFundMe page, which has raised over $3,600 as of July 11. Neither of them was looking for anything serious when they first met but fate had other plans and they spent nearly two decades together.

There was just something about Mason; Kelley said there is no other woman he would rather be with. “She has a way of just pointing her finger and going ‘shhh,' and it could make a football player just fall down," he said. The Oklahoma City couple got married last week after learning she had just days to live. "If I could take the cancer myself and have the cancer so she could continue to live, then I would. Gladly," Kelley said.

"Their first date was at Denny's and they share a love of Godzilla, crafting and experiencing life. Together they share 5 children and 11 grandchildren," it said. Sadly, her kidneys had "completely shut down" by July 5, the fundraiser noted. The GoFundMe is aimed to help Kelley "cover the costs of Becky's end of life and help ease the transition into his next stage of life."

Mason's daughter was out of town planning her father's funeral after he died this week. She tried to get back to Oklahoma by Friday to see her mom after hearing that she had been given 24 to 72 hours to live. “Sometimes she doesn’t even call her kids because she doesn’t want them to know she’s hurting," Kelley said.

The family confirmed that Mason passed away on Sunday. She was 69 years old at the time of her passing. "It is with great sadness as well as thankfulness that we announce Becky passed yesterday, Sunday, July 9, around 3 p.m. She was surrounded by love and peace," read a message from the Kelley family. "Thank you for all of your love and continued support, we sincerely appreciate it," the family added.