Monica and Dean Berckenhoff from Texas were about to exchange vows when a woman raised her hand to object to the wedding.
But it wasn’t for a selfish reason, not to break them up, and she definitely wasn’t an ex lover.
She raised her hand because she had something sweet to say.
This was Monica and Dean’s first emotional and unforgettable surprise gift on the day of their wedding one Friday afternoon.
First, a little background.
In June 2012, an 11-year-old named Colton Berckenhoff lost his life in an accident in Porter, Texas.
His father, Dean Berckenhoff and his then-fiancée, Monica, heartbroken and grieving, still made the tough decision to donate their son’s organs.
“It wasn’t easy, it was a really hard decision to make because you know, that’s your family, that’s someone that you love,” Monica said. “Colton is a hero, he’s more of hero than any person that I know, he saved more than just one life by donating his organs.”
Colton would have been 18.
“Colton was full of life, he was always laughing,” said Amanda McDonald, Colton’s aunt. “He was just the sweetest kid in the entire world, he loved football and he loved the Houston Texans.”
Travis Stufflebean from Arkansas as born with a bad heart and has had to deal with open heart surgery his whole life.
It’s not easy to find a heart but his family’s prayers were answered.
He got the phone call for the heart he needed.
The 20-year-old had been on the transplant list for three months.
“Because of how fast it happened, you know, a lot of people wait a long time and never get one. I was very fortunate,” Travis explained. “I feel overwhelmed. Jesus has really done amazing things. I believe this is all Him.”
Over the years, he had talked to Colton’s family, but had never met the Texas couple.
That all changed on Friday.
Judge Wayne Mack was there to witness it all.
Amanda McDonald had always wanted for both parties to meet so she hatched the plan.
July 19 marked Dean and Monica’s anniversary, and thought it was the best day to get married.
The objection to the wedding was meant to bring Stufflebean out.
He walked towards them, and immediately, the couple knew who he was.
“Colton’s not here physically, but he’s here,” said Judge Wayne Mack, who married the couple.
Monica embraced Stufflebean, and so did Dean.
Travis then brought out a stethoscope so the couple could listen to their son’s heartbeat once more.
“You’re bringing the heart back home. To me, this is just a temporary heart. I’m just borrowing it. To me, this is where it belongs, with this wonderful, awesome family,” Stufflebean said.
Not a single dry eye in that room.
The couple got married because of love, and surrounded by love, thanks to the love they gave away.
Stufflebean himself is now a youth pastor in Arkansas. Talk about a miracle.
It’s a touching moment you have to witness for yourself so watch it below!
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