Celebrating life’s milestones can be bittersweet when loved ones are no longer there to share them. For Australian cricket veteran Jess Jonassen, the journey to her wedding day was marked by trials and tribulations, with the passing of her father Ray casting a shadow over her celebrations.
In the past year, Jess Jonassen has achieved remarkable success in the world of cricket, winning the women’s Ashes, the World Cup trophy, and a historic Commonwealth Games gold medal. Yet, behind these glittering achievements, she has grappled with the profound loss of her father, Ray, who passed away due to cancer in 2021. In a candid interview, Jonassen shared the void left by her father’s absence and the challenges of marking life’s significant moments without him.
As a poignant tribute to her father’s memory, the ladybug became a symbol cherished by the Jonassen family. Ray had an inexplicable fondness for these red and black critters and often sent ladybug emojis to his daughters. To honor their father, Jess and her sisters each got ladybug tattoos on their wrists as a permanent reminder of his profound impact on their lives.
For Jess, this symbol transcended her personal life and extended to her cricket career, where her father had invested countless hours honing her skills as a child. The prospect of her wedding in 2023 raised the question of how to honor her father’s memory on this special day.
When ABC Sport had the opportunity to interview Jess Jonassen again, several months after her elopement to Hawaii, they were eager to learn how the day unfolded and whether Jess had found a way to include her father in the celebration.
In a heartwarming twist of fate, a ladybug made a surprise appearance on the wedding day. Jess discovered it on the back of her wife Sarah’s blazer during a photoshoot. It was an unexpected moment that brought comfort and reassurance, capturing the attention of their wedding photographer, who believed it was a sign of Ray’s presence.
The decision to elope overseas was a deliberate one for Jess and Sarah. With flight credits due to expire and a desire to seize the moment, they chose to marry in Hawaii. Keeping their plans a secret from everyone except their mothers, they celebrated their union in a public space on Magic Island, sharing their vows and sealing their love with a kiss, cheered on by passersby.
Reflecting on their decision, Jess shared that their wedding day was perfect in its simplicity and spontaneity. It was a day that felt true to who they were as a couple, marked by an unexpected ladybug blessing that reaffirmed the enduring connection with Jess’s father, Ray.
Jess Jonassen’s wedding story serves as a poignant reminder that even in the absence of loved ones, meaningful symbols and unexpected moments can bridge the gap, making special occasions truly unforgettable. As she continues her cricket journey, Jess Jonassen’s remarkable achievements are now intertwined with this heartwarming chapter of love, loss, and the enduring presence of a ladybug.