It was her wedding day, and as Becky Turney prepared to walk down the aisle, she was overwhelmed with so many conflicting emotions. All of her family and friends were gathered together in a beautiful open field under Alaska’s striking mountain sky where Becky was going to exchange marital vows with her soulmate.
However, while it was one of the happiest days of Becky’s life, it was also bitter-sweet as someone very important to her was missing — her late son Triston.
At the age of 19, Triston was tragically taken from her, and Becky couldn’t help but feel a bit empty without him there on her special day. However, a part of her knew her son was right there by her side as Becky said “I do,” to her loving fiancé Kelly.
The mom also saved her son a special front-row seat. On the seat, a note read:
While the mom knew her son would be there in spirit, Becky had no clue just how close a physical part of her son was to her that day.
While Becky had never met Jacob Kilby before, she knew she had a very deep connection to the stranger as he was the man who received her son’s heart on October 21, 2015, in a heart transplant operation.
Just a few moments before the beginning of their ceremony, Kelly would give his beautiful bride the surprise of her life as he called the 21-year-old man forward to meet Becky for the very first time.
It turns out Jacob flew all the way from San Diego, California, to Alaska to meet Becky and help her celebrate her big day. The young man served as Kelly’s sixth groomsman.
While she previously exchanged messages with Jacob and even spoke to him on her birthday over the phone, Becky never met Jacob in person and had no clue that he would be there.
PEOPLE reports Jacob and Becky’s emotional first meeting was captured by wedding photographer Amber Laphier, the owner of Love Adventured. The touching images showed the pure joy and happiness that came over the bride’s face as she saw the young man who carried her son’s heart.
Becky went and embraced Jacob as if he were her own son.
She also became visibly overcome with powerful emotion as she put a stethoscope to Jacob’s chest and listened to the beating sound of her son’s heart working to keep this young man alive.
While speaking to the Mirror Online, Becky said:
Overcome by the moment, Becky was speechless with joy.
She continued:
During an interview with the BBC, her new husband said:
There were plenty of tears to go around.
While Jacob’s attendance at the wedding meant more than words could ever describe for the bride and groom, the moment was also very emotional for Jacob.
And we’re sure Tristan was also there in spirit, smiling.
You can watch a video of this heartwarming story below.
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