Woman Stayed by Her Fiancé’s Side as Medical Crisis Landed Him in the ICU. They Celebrated His Hospital Release by Getting Married (Exclusive)

In an extraordinary love story that highlights the power of connection, Kaci Brook LaFon and her husband Collin met through Dateability, a dating app designed specifically for individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses. The couple, both 28, found an immediate bond that would eventually lead them to a joyful wedding celebration this past February.

Kaci recounts her feelings upon first meeting Collin: “I really don’t think I could have met somebody that matched me so much.” Their partnership began in May 2024, just three days after Kaci joined the app. Living in Missouri at the time, she was encouraged by her mother to try online dating after a long period of being single. Collin, who resides in Alabama and has cerebral palsy, had discovered the app while exploring disability-friendly resources.

The connection they formed was immediate and profound. Kaci fondly remembers how they started FaceTiming for hours each day, revealing shared interests in faith and romantic comedies. “We’re both born at 26 weeks, both about a pound, 10 oz.,” she noted, highlighting their similar medical backgrounds, although Collin had faced health challenges from birth, while Kaci’s issues developed later.

However, Kaci established an important condition for pursuing their relationship further: Collin had to meet her in person. Guided by her mother’s advice—”You’re not Domino’s, you don’t deliver”—Kaci insisted that for a meaningful connection to develop, Collin should come to see her in Missouri. Their first face-to-face encounter took place in August during a double date at an Italian restaurant in St. Louis, leading to further visits as the months progressed.

Collin, who serves as a peer navigator at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s medical department, felt an instant certainty about their future together. “When we met, everything just aligned,” he says. Not long after their first meeting, on Thanksgiving of that year, Collin proposed. In a touching moment, Kaci recalls how Collin casually spoke about their future, and without a formal proposal, she placed the ring on her finger.

As they eagerly planned their wedding for February 2026, fate took a dramatic turn. At the end of 2024, Collin made the decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery to improve his health, which was followed by a series of life-threatening complications. A bowel blockage became septic, necessitating further surgeries that left him in a precarious situation.

During his time in the hospital, Collin faced significant challenges due to errors in care. He describes a harrowing incident involving inadequate assistance from hospital staff that resulted in critical internal injuries. In a close brush with death, Collin coded shortly after being transferred to another hospital, where he was revived through resuscitation efforts but subsequently battled infections in the aftermath.

Throughout this daunting ordeal, Kaci remained steadfast by Collin’s side. Originally planning to move to Alabama that summer, she delayed her move to support him through his recovery. “I wouldn’t have made it through if not for Kaci,” Collin admits. Their desire to ensure they could make medical decisions for each other led them to marry at a courthouse ceremony in September, symbolising their commitment amid adversity.

They ultimately realised their dream of a full wedding ceremony on 28 February at Collin’s childhood church in Decatur, Georgia. The event was not only a celebration of their love but also viewed as a triumphant acknowledgment of Collin’s resilience in overcoming significant health trials. “We got to see all of our family and friends… everyone that we hadn’t seen in a long time,” Kaci reflects, expressing joy in the happiness they shared that day.

Now residing together in a specially adapted basement apartment, Kaci works at a UPS store while also supporting Collin’s ongoing recovery. Looking to the future, the couple is hoping to start a family through surrogacy, as Kaci is concerned about passing on her genetic condition to children. They are also open to the possibility of adoption.

Looking back on their journey, Kaci and Collin are deeply appreciative of the Dateability app, which brought them together in such an extraordinary way. “We are so very thankful to them for creating such a wonderful place to meet each other,” Kaci adds, celebrating the powerful role of technology in fostering meaningful relationships. Their story not only highlights the serendipitous nature of love but also underscores the importance of resilience and support in navigating life’s challenges together.