"I vow to love you, no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find a way back to each other"- Carpenter and Wilkerson
In the last few months, the media has been filled with articles about “The ‘Real Fault in Our Stars’ Couple”. The story of Katie Donovan and Dalton Prager began on Facebook 6 years go as complete strangers. Katie and Dalton were both diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and encouraged each other to stay strong. Soon after this, they fell in love and wanted to meet each other. The only problem with Cystic Fibrosis patients, is that they cannot meet face-to-face due to the dangers of infection and deteriorating their heath. Despite the risks, Katie and Dalton met in person for the first time. Katie was aware that being exposed to his infection (Burkholderia Cepacia Complex) could kill her, but that didn’t stop her. Katie loves Dalton, and to her, five years of happiness is more important than 20 years of what could have been. The love they shared with each other was so strong, that the fears and troubles they once had faded away. Love is considered to be the most powerful thing in this world. Love is known to provide the highest amount of positive motivation that no other feeling or emotion can give.
Two years later, they were happily married and vowed to be there for one another. “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” Their relationship was a shining example of this golden promise.
After their wedding, the Pragers' health soon deteriorated, and they needed full time oxygen. Through a series of tragic events in 2014, Katie and Dalton were unable to continue their careers and were in urgent need of new lungs. Through hope and the support of the world, the Pragers received their transplants. Even though the couple still has a long road in front of them, the couple continues to be nothing but hopeful.
Throughout it all, Dalton said their love for each other is what keeps them going. "The more you go through, the more you need each other," he said. "It's like we're in a storm, and I reach out for the life raft, and there she is."
Even though the dangers were evident, they didn’t hold themselves back. To them, nothing can stop the love they have for each other. It is invincible. They don't care about living unless it means they are living together.
Their life together is an extraordinary example of love and commitment to the person you love. Everyday of their lives they are struggling to survive and still, they keep their vows for each other.
For everyone who doubts love or seizes to believe it exists, here’s a sign.
Here’s a sign of true love and eternal promise. Through their hardships, they stayed strong and hopeful that one day they would be stronger, better, and together again. Do they regret their illness? No. Do they let it control them? No. They thank their illness for helping each other meet the love of their lives.
How inspiring is that?
That despite the dangers of being together with Cystic Fibrosis, Katie and Dalton continued to live their lives together no matter how critical it was to their health. Because, to them, five years of happiness was more important than 20 years of what could have been.
I am thankful to be healthy, but if one day my body fails me, I hope I will be blessed with love like this.
