Thursday, February 14, 2013

A Valentines Surprise - of Epic proportions

A History of Keith and Sarah

Keith and I have known each other for over 6 years.  We met online, dated for a few months, and then circumstances found us in a position to buy a home together MUCH sooner than we expected.  We threw caution to the winds, bought a house together, started a business together, worked amazingly well together, and were the best of friends.  Inseparable.

Over the years, we settled in to a wonderful sort of sympatico - we got along exceptionally well, rarely fought, but when we did it was with good conversation and communication, and as for things related to his health concerns, I ensured that I was as informed as I could be, so that I would be his closest and most effective advocate, should the need arise.

As you all know, the need arose.  And I rose to the challenge.  You have all followed Keith and I over the past month as things escalated to the point where I was seriously concerned that my best friend was going to be gone from my life.  I never wavered in my efforts to help him, and to help others.  There was no other choice for me.

This morning, I donned my only colourful item of clothing (hot pink), and went to the hospital.  Keith was not feeling well, had not had a restful night, and was in a lot of pain.  My first hour there was spent ensuring that he had hot water bottles for his sore arms and shoulders, and that his pain meds would start to kick in.



I let him rest in bed, and I was working at the computer when he told me that he wanted to reach over and touch me.  He had to push his table out of the way, swing his legs over the side of the bed, and I saw him grimace as the movement caused his pain to come back.  He walked two steps to where I was, and lowered himself down onto one knee.  As he took my hand, I looked at him and he very simply asked "Will you marry me?"

As an aside, throughout this and for the past few years, I have always referred to Keith as my husband. For all intents and purposes, he is.  We are common-law, and in the eyes of the government, we are married.   Keith and I both came from previous relationships, and certainly for Keith - he had no interest nor need for any sort of formal declaration or paperwork in order to prove how he felt about me.  Over the past few years, this has come up, and it was the one thing that he would not budge on.  We both agreed that this was the status quo, and that what really mattered - was that we were together and loved each other.

My first reaction was "are you serious?" - romantic huh?  But really, this man had told me repeatedly that he would NEVER get married again.  He had made friends promise to take him out to the barn if he ever did this again.  Thankfully, his two best friends have been informed, and have promised NOT to follow through on their promises.  I asked him why he was doing this, and he said it was because he really wanted me to be his wife.  He had had a lot of time to think while he has been going through this whole ordeal, and told me that he was so amazed at how I had handled the past few months, and the past month in particular.  He has been given a new life, and he wants to spend the rest of his life with me.  

I said "yes."  I love him.  

Somewhere out there, there is a family that I have to thank for this.  Thank you so much.  I wish that I could find a way to tell you how much this gift means.  I hate that it came at such a price for you - it is my daily prayer that you can find peace and know that your loved ones lungs are cherished.  

Valentines Day - 2013



27 comments:

  1. What a beautiful story Sarah & Keith. Congratulations! I wish you both a world of happiness. Gale

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  2. Wow what an amazing end to a wonderful day spent with loved ones! You go Keith-love that you are keping romance alive!

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  3. I am so happy for you and Keith. I hope you have an amazing rest of your lives together as a family.

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  4. ((((Sarah and Keith)))) How extraordinary :) Best wishes and congratulations ! May you have many, many, many more years of love and togetherness. Hugs, Heather

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  5. This is so beautiful. Congratulations, both of you. May you live long, happy lives together.

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  6. Congratulations Sarah & Keith! I wish you many, many more Happy Valentine's Days together. Thank you for sharing your beautiful love story with us. <3

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  7. I have been following your story and you are both truly an inspiration to all! I am so happy for you both as I write this with tears in my eyes. You have made me shed many tears in following your journey. You help others also going through health issues like myself to stay strong and keep fighting. I wish you both many years of happiness and health and look forward to hearing when Keith gets sprung from the hospital. Hugs to you both!

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  8. Congratulations Sarah & Keith...you are both an inspiration beyond words. I am thrilled about your joyous news.

    Eddie

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  9. Awww...I, too, shed a tear. Congratulations to both of you! What a special Valentines Day. Wishing you SO much happiness in the days and the years ahead -- Shanon

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  10. Congratulations U 2!!! I feel humbled and honoured at how you both were willing to share this journey on Twitter, where I first 'met' you both though Kelly Ann Scott RT some of your tweets, Sarah. As a former Critical Care RN (retired now) I know the journey before and after any transplantation. It is a remarkable event and life changing for closest family always.
    After this part of the journey, I am not surprised at Keith's transformation into the 'Marrying Kind!!!' So, now with his gift from those so generous anonymous family who agreed to follow their loved one's wish to be an organ donor, you will be planning a wedding in the days ahead.
    How magical, wonderful and unforgettable a story.
    I do hope you both write a book!
    Sending love and good wishes for your future happiness from North Vancouver.
    Wendy or @perfectrose2011

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  11. Congratulations what a wonderful story. Best wishes and good health.xoxox Donna

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  12. You are both truly amazing people! Life is good, regardless of the circumstances, few people recognize that.

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  13. Congratulations Sarah & Keith what another wonderful day for you both, we wish you a long, healthy and happy life together.
    Steve & Debbie

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  14. I wish you both the best possible life together as possible,you've both been through so much and deserve so much happiness,I pray for all this and more,now that Keith has his lungs,time to take on the world together again! :)

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  15. Best Valentine's Day story EVER!!!!! I'm all teary-eyed Sarah! Congratulations, I'm very happy for you!

    Rachel Wilkinson

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  16. wonderful, amazing news. congratulations! xo

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  17. What a wonderful love story. Congratulations to you both. I wish you both many, many, more happy years together. xo

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  18. Truly amazing! The strength and determination you have shown over the last few months is the same strength and determination Keith showed today, taking all his efforts to get down on a knee and propose! What a beautiful love story you have. Congratulations! Continued blessings as you continue to heal

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  19. What a beautiful love story!! I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness.

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  20. Beautiful story, and a big congrats to you both. It seems strange to decide to get married at this time. But, I know the story all to well. My now husband and I have been together for 34 years now. While I was in hospital here at my home town, and told I need a double lung transplant, and without one I had only probably 2 years left. When told you are dying your whole life changes, you look at things so differently. My husband asked me to marry him, and wanted to marry before we had to relocate. So April of 2010 I said yes finally. We got married April 18 2010, a month before we relocated. My children were very happy. I had always said by the time I get married my Grandchildren will be walking me down the aisle, well my 2 year old Grandson Braedon did that exact thing. Now go get a Justice of Peace and get hitched.

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  21. This is so beautiful Sarah. I'm writing this as tears stream down my face. I hardly know you but over these last few weeks have come to have an abundance of respect and adoration for you. So many wonderful things have come from this trying and difficult experience.

    I am so thrilled for you, Keith and your family that this fairytale has such a beautiful ending...or actually a beautiful beginning!! CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement and your amazing life of love together!!
    Debbie Innes

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  22. What a beautiful story... So happy for you both! May you be blessed with a long, fulfilling, joyful life together...♥
    Lorraine

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  23. Congratulations! So happy for you both.

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