A Wedding Day Surprise That Will Melt Your Heart
A wedding day is a momentous occasion, filled with joy and love. For Becky Turney, preparing for her wedding in 2017 was a deeply emotional journey, as she grappled with the absence of her 19-year-old son, Triston, who had tragically passed away unexpectedly in 2015. Becky longed to have her beloved son by her side on this special day, and she found a beautiful way to ensure his presence was felt.
As she and her fiance, Kelly Turney, planned their wedding, they decided to reserve a seat for Triston. A poignant sign on the chair read: “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.”
However, Kelly had an extraordinary surprise in store for Becky. Knowing that Triston’s organs had been donated after his passing, he wanted to make sure that Triston’s heart was physically present at the wedding ceremony.
During the ceremony, Kelly paused the proceedings to introduce Becky to Jacob Kilby, the recipient of Triston’s heart. This momentous meeting allowed Becky to hear her son’s heartbeat once again, a profoundly emotional and touching experience that she had longed for.
Jacob Kilby described the moment as “unrealistic, so heart-warming, and incredibly emotional.” He emphasized the importance of organ donation and how it had changed his life. Jacob and Becky were deeply moved by the encounter, and they vowed to stay in touch.
Here's a video I took at my friends wedding. Kelly Turney surprised Becky by introducing her to her son Triston's heart recipient, Jacob💓💓 pic.twitter.com/RTUPOi4yuT
— Karen Smith (@maksmith123) July 12, 2017
Becky later took to social media to express her gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support she received after her wedding day story went viral. She described the response as “amazing” and thanked her guests and vendors for their contributions to her special day.
Alaskan bride Becky Turney was surprised by her husband with the recipient of her late son's heart at their wedding: https://t.co/bHqWQEoGru pic.twitter.com/GYyKD8IHPG
— E! News (@enews) July 13, 2017
The meeting with Jacob on her wedding day was a surprise that left Becky elated. She explained that she had never experienced such a surprise before and was overjoyed by the moment. The emotional encounter was captured by a photographer, preserving the memory forever.
Becky’s wedding day was a testament to the power of love, organ donation, and the enduring connection between a mother and her son. It serves as a heartwarming reminder of the impact a single act of kindness, like organ donation, can have on multiple lives.