Couple Surprised At Wedding By Recipient Of Late Son's Heart

A stunned couple received a wedding day surprise they will never forget as they were met for the first time by the recipient of their donor son's heart during the ceremony. As the judge performing the ceremony asked if there were any objections, recipient Travis Stufflebean entered the room and greeted Dean and Monica Berckenhoff as they stood stunned. Carrying a stethoscope, Travis embraced the tearful couple before allowing them to listen to son Colton's heart inside his chest. The beautiful moment took place in Montgomery County Justice of the Peace Court 1, in Willis, Texas, on July 19, and was a surprise organized by Monica's sister, Amanda McDonald, and her parents, Terry and Michelle Guy. Dean, 42, is Colton's biological father, and Monica, 32, his stepmother. Colton died age 11 in a tragic accident in Porter, Texas, in June 2012. The couple made the decision to donate Colton's organs, and the recipient was Travis, now 28, whose family had been told in 1991 that he had a bad heart. Following several surgeries, Travis was informed his heart was failing, and after three months on the donor list, he received Colton's heart. Knowing of Dean and Monica's determination to one day meet the recipient of Colton's heart, Amanda contacted Travis in December 2018 to inform him about the wedding. Along with the help of Amanda's parents, Travis was able fly into Texas from Fayetteville, Arkansas, and he hid in the backroom while the ceremony took place.
Release Status:
TV & Digital
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Location: Willis, Texas, USA
  • Date Acquired07-26-2019
  • Date Filmed07-19-2019
  • OrientationHorizontal
  • Footage TypeProfessional Camera
  • Rights TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing

Couple Surprised At Wedding By Recipient Of Late Son's Heart

Order

Father Hears Late Son's Heart Beating Inside Transplant Recipient

Woman Meets Mom Of Heart Donor Who Saved Her Life In Emotional First Meeting

Organ Donor's Dad Walks Recipient Down Aisle On Her Wedding Day

Girl Asks Grandma To Be Bridesmaid For First Time At Her Wedding

Boy Given Surprise Heart Transplant News By Doctor Dressed As Chewbacca

Organ Donor's Mom Surprised By Recipient

Grandma With Dementia Remembers 67th Wedding Anniversary During Husband's Wholesome Surprise

Woman Repeatedly Tells Grandmother With Dementia She's Engaged

Groom Sobs Uncontrollably After Being Told To Kiss The Bride

Bone Marrow Recipient Surprised With Emotional Flower Girl Request By Donor

Man Cycles Cross Country To Meet Family Of Heart Donor

Son Surprises Amputee Mom With Wheelchair Wedding Dance

Father Reunites With Daughter Who Saved His Life By Donating Liver

Couple Surprise Family With Small Intimate Wedding At Their Home

Bride Surprises Mom By Repurposing Her Old Wedding Dress

Guests Drive Past Couple's Wedding To Join In Celebration

Double Amputee Wears Dress For First Time On Wedding Day

Boy Gives Heartwarming Best Man Speech To Dad And "Coolest Stepmom"

Couple's Wedding Interrupted By Sprinklers

Mom Who Thought Military Son Couldn't Make Wedding Receives Surprise

Couple Wed In ICU So Bride's Father With Terminal Cancer Can Be At Wedding

Couple Decide Against Destination Wedding So Dogs Can Walk Aisle

Dirty Dancing Fail At Wedding Leads To Epic Face-plant

Bride Surprises 97-Year-Old Grandma In Wedding Dress After She Couldn't Make Wedding

Bride Surprises 100-Year-Old Great Grandma Who Couldn't Attend Wedding

Sneaker Loving Dad Finds Pregnancy Test In Shoe Box Surprise

Groom Goes Viral After Wrapping His Shivering Bride In Suit jacket During Outdoor Wedding

Spectacular 4K Drone Shots Of Heart-Shaped Lake In Ireland

Bride Stops Bus On Wedding Day To Surprise Her Grandma In Her Wedding Dress