They had a heart transplant on the same day at the same hospital. Then they fell in love.

They have the most incredible love story, but the heart works in a mysterious way.

Taylor Givens, 29, and Collin Kobellier, 34, both received a heart transplant on the same day at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia in 2011 and recovered in adjacent rooms. It was Givens’ first transplant after she suffered viral cardiomyopathy, while Kobele had a second transplant after he was born with chronic heart disease.

“At first there were no romantic sparks because we were both miserable,” Givens said.

Five years later, they were reunited on the anniversary of the heart transplant. Kobelya returned to Virginia, visiting doctors at the hospital, and contacted Givens.

They went to dinner and talked about what had happened since they saw each other in the hospital. The two hit it off, Kobella said.

“It was nice because we had to take our medications at the same time, the same medication,” Givens said. “I definitely felt a spark, and I didn’t expect it at all.”

They started dating and got married in 2019. They now live in Maryland.

“It was great to start dating someone who didn’t have to explain anything,” Kobella said. “You can just live your life as usual.”

For both of them, their physical limitations and mental abilities were barriers to dating. But they didn’t have to explain to each other why they couldn’t do something or why they had so many doctor visits, because they already understood.

Since then, the couple have been dealing with serious health issues and know there are more ahead of them. Kobele had his fourth heart transplant last year, and Givens is in remission from his lymphoma.

But having each other makes it easier to solve problems, they say.

“When he’s around me, I’m not as afraid of things, even things like my mortality,” Givens said. “I see him exist and survive these transplants and thrive, and that gives me a new sense of hope and purpose.”

Kobelya said that they are stronger because of this.

“We both went through, in fact, one of the worst experiences you can have in your life,” he said. “It definitely feels like everything life throws at us we can handle.”

Content Source

News Press Ohio – Latest News:
Columbus Local News || Cleveland Local News || Ohio State News || National News || Money and Economy News || Entertainment News || Tech News || Environment News

Related Articles

Back to top button