When you declare your wedding vows, you promise to love your partner in sickness and in health. And this oath immediately hit close to home for charming Cantabrian groom Brett Renall, who once feared his life-threatening illness would scupper his shot at finding true love.
“When I submitted my application for Married at First Sight, I wrote in big, bold capital letters, ‘Please don’t rule me out because I have type 1 diabetes,’” reveals timber signmaker Brett.
He was worried producers would have reservations about picking him because of his illness – the most severe form of diabetes, where the body doesn’t create enough insulin to keep blood glucose in the normal range, so it needs constant monitoring.
“I’ve lived with diabetes since I was seven, but even I’m guilty at times of underestimating what people with the condition are capable of. Sure, we might not hack it on Survivor, but look what I’d be missing if my worst fears came true and they hadn’t selected me.”
The handsome handyman, 31, is referring to the wonderful new life he now shares with his wife Angel Fulljames.
The overwhelming success story from Three’s matchmaking series tied the knot just over three weeks ago and already buying a home, getting a pet pup and starting a family are on the horizon.
Yet despite the carpenter’s initial fears that his diabetes would tear their union apart, Brett’s ailment – which he manages with a pump that attaches to his stomach and delivers insulin through a catheter placed under the skin – has brought the pair closer.
“When I first got the pump, when I was living in America in my early 20s, I was really embarrassed to show girls and just so self-conscious about it,” tells Brett.
“That’s been a bit of a constant theme growing up. Diabetes is particularly hard as a teenager because you don’t want to be injecting needles in front of your mates or have to stop playing tag at lunchtime so you can eat some jellybeans.
“Managing it is a constant battle. I have highs and lows – I’ve almost died twice.”
After their incredible wedding day, where the couple instantly clicked, Brett laid bare his greatest vulnerability. “When we got back to our room, it was the first thing we spoke about. I showed Angel how it attached and detached, and how it all worked, and it was such a special moment,” he recalls.
“Angel was immediately so accepting. She didn’t feel sorry for me – she was caring and really wanted to understand more. She was asking heaps of questions and I could really see the sincerity in her eyes. I always say that Angel would make a great nurse because she is so kind and compassionate.”
Angel, 26, knew very little about diabetes, but her hubby’s heartfelt revelation did not change the way she felt about him for a second.
“I’d never think differently of Brett – that’s not who I am at all,” says the vivacious TV bride. “I forget his pump is even there – it’s not a big deal. Diabetes is a part of who Brett is and if anything, it just makes me want to learn all there is to know so I can be closer to him and care for him.”
Affectionately nicknamed A and B, the pair say their rock-steady relationship is built on love, understanding and most importantly, laughter.
Big-hearted Brett likes to bust out his kookiest dance moves to make his girl giggle and starts every day by telling her the breakfast she’s prepared is the best he’s ever had. Meanwhile, Angel makes sure there’s a Pepsi Max in the fridge for her man no matter what and lets him pick the movies.
“She’s usually snoring five minutes in anyway,” he laughs.
“It’s hard to describe how happy we are right now – it’s just so surreal,” smiles Brett.
“We are just two people who believe in a fairytale and that good things happen to good people. The reason I’ve never settled in the past is because I think I always knew there was the perfect girl out there for me. And would you believe it, I’ve found her!”
As their co-stars’ marriages crumble, Brett and Angel feel all the more grateful for their beautiful bond. But the pair, who live in separate cities – Brett in Lincoln and Angel in Wellington – are realistic about the challenges life will throw them and they aren’t afraid to face them head on.
“Children, buying our first home and getting a dog – we’ve covered it all, including our more immediate living situations,” says Angel.
“Brett and I have said from the very beginning we wouldn’t let anything get in the way of true love. His work is flexible and I’ve not been to Lincoln, but I’d move there in a heartbeat.
“Location means nothing to me,” she adds. “I could live in a mansion and be waited on hand and foot by a man I only kind of liked, but I’d much rather live the rest of my days on a campsite with Brett.”
The happy couple could wax lyrical about each other for days, but one topic is off limits for the cameras – intimacy.
“I’m not much of a PDA guy. I was honest with Angel about that from the start and she was really understanding. The last thing we want to talk about on camera is our sex life.”
Adds Angel, “By getting married on national TV, we feel like we’ve already shared such a special part of our lives with NZ and there are certain things we want to keep for ourselves.
“I’ve noticed a few social media comments about how we never kiss on camera, but physical connection isn’t an issue for us. It’s just not something we do on TV. I don’t need Brett to be all over me to know what we have is forever.”
