Bride leaves empty seat to honor late son — can't stop crying when she sees who's seated there
'I'm in heaven for your wedding, so what shall I do? I'll come down to earth to spend it with you.'
Becky Turney faced her biggest nightmare when she lost her son, Triston, at the age of 19 in 2015. Two years later, she somehow mustered the courage to start a new life. In 2017, Becky decided to marry Kelly Turney, her fiancé, in an elaborate ceremony in Alaska. She had even left an empty seat at the venue to honor her late son, who she knew wouldn't be attending the wedding. But little did Becky know that Kelly, her now husband, had already planned the biggest surprise for her. Their wedding photographer (Love Adventured on Facebook) captured the exact moment the bride broke down into tears when she saw someone very special — Triston's beating heart — sitting in the same seat she had reserved for her dear son.
The empty seat wasn't really empty; in fact, they had placed a heartwarming note on it: "I'm in heaven for your wedding, so what shall I do? I'll come down to earth to spend it with you. So save me a seat, just one empty chair. You may not see me, but I will be there." Becky was missing her son at her wedding, unaware that his beating heart was already there, sitting on the seat she'd reserved for Triston. When Triston died, his family had agreed to donate his organs, and Jacob Kilby was the one who carried his heart. Kelly, oblivious to Becky, had invited Kilby, who had flown down from California to Alaska to stand as a groomsman and surprise the bride on her biggest day, according to the BBC. He even paused the ceremony to introduce Kilby to everyone, and Becky? Well, let's say she couldn't stop crying, looking at the boy carrying her son's heart. She even heard her son's heartbeat on her wedding day, holding a stethoscope to Kilby's chest as captured in heartfelt photos posted on Facebook. It was an overwhelming experience for both Becky and Kilby. "Hands down the best gift... the most amazing surprise ever. Thank you for caring for Triston's heart. Thank you for being here," she said in a post.
Every day, 13 people die waiting for an organ transplant. What's more surprising is that every 8 minutes, a new person is added to the transplant waiting list in America, according to HRSA. The situation wouldn't be so scary, and we wouldn't be losing so many people if only we had more individuals donate organs of their deceased loved ones; in fact, a donor can save 8 lives and improve the lives of more than 75 people. Organ transplantation not only saves lives but also creates a lasting connection between donors and recipients. Just like Becky and Kilby, research by D. Lewino, L. Stocks, and G. Cole found that 70% of donor families wanted direct contact with the recipients to continue bonding with their loved ones whom they lost, but feel closer to every time they meet the person carrying their organs.
People were left in tears after reading the beautiful story, especially those who've either had a family member donate an organ or benefited from it. Priscilla Chance Bockelman commented, "As the wife of an organ recipient, there are no words to express our gratitude for our organ donor and their family. It is the most amazing gift, and we will forever be thankful! Thank you so much for your gift of life. So glad you were able to meet one of the recipients and hear your son's heart again." Similarly, Jo Ellen Anderson shared, "Thank you for sharing the story. How precious of Triston to be an organ donor and save this young man's life. And, for the donor family... Becky, to know her amazing boy lives on. I am a double lung recipient, and my precious organ donor saved my life. We live each and every day together, he and I. Organ donors are HEROES, and so are their families for sharing them with us. Much love and life to all of you."
You can follow Love Adventured on Facebook for more lifestyle content.
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