Berta Alicia Martinez first learned about the Cinderella-esque carriages when she was planning her daughter’s quinceañera. When she began planning her own wedding, Berta remembered the carriage and decided to surprise everyone by riding off into the sunset in the white, horse-drawn set of wheels.
In addition to planning the menu and sending out the invites, Berta was dealing with a challenge most brides don’t face: a child’s illness. Her daughter Catie was battling lymphatic cancer at a hospital two hours away and is still going through chemotherapy. But in a way, Catie helped bring Berta and her husband, Jorge Cerritos, to the altar.
Both Berta and Jorge, who have been together for 24 years, had been in previous relationships before becoming a couple. Jorge has one child from a previous relationship, Berta has two children with her ex-husband, and they have three children together. Though Berta said she’s always believed in God, when Catie was diagnosed and after her work schedule changed, they began to attend Sunday Mass more regularly at Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling.
When a priest noticed they weren’t receiving Communion, they explained their situation and the priest offered to help them get married in the church. “He helped us with everything, we didn’t have to worry about filling out papers, fees, everything. Because he knew our daughter had cancer,” said Berta.
They married May 28 — Berta’s birthday. Father Juan A. Puigbó, now pastor of St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax, officiated. After the wedding, the carriage was waiting outside the church. “I didn’t tell anybody. When they came out, everyone was surprised and excited,” said Berta. The fairy-tale carriage, adorned with flowers and ribbons and driven by a coachwoman dressed in black, whisked them to their house for the reception.
While a special day, the wedding was bittersweet without one of her daughters present. Berta’s sister reminded her to enjoy the day, that God would take care of Catie. As Catie continues to receive treatment, Berta is grateful for her daughter’s positive attitude and for God’s care. “Nothing happens without him,” said Berta. “I put my daughter in his arms and said, ‘Give her back to me like you gave her to me when she was born.’ ”
