Dean Berckenhoff and his fiancรฉe Monica had been dating for over almost two decades before they finally decided to get married this July. They had been putting the wedding off for years because without their son Colton around, the family just didnโt feel complete.
Back in 2012, the eleven-year-old was killed in a tragic accident, causing Dean and Monica unfathomable amounts of pain.
It took time to heal the wounds left by his passing but now, years later, the couple finally felt ready to officially tie the knot. Their only regret was that Colton wouldnโt be there in attendance.


However, the families of the two had a special surprise in store for them that would help get them through their special day.
It turns out, back when Colton passed, the family had made the tough decision to donate some of his organs to others in need.
โIt wasnโt easy, it was a really hard decision to make because you know, thatโs your family, thatโs someone that you love,โ Monica told KPRC-TV.
โColton is a hero, heโs more of a hero than any person that I know, he saved more than just one life by donating his organs.โ


One of the organ recipients was a 28-year-old man named Travis Stufflebean.
He received a small piece of the boyโs heart which gave him a new lease on life.
โIt all started back in 1991. I was born with a bad heart and all through my life Iโve dealt with open-heart surgery,โ said Stufflebean.
He was in desperate need of a transplant, and upon Coltonโs death, Stufflebean got the heart that his body required. Neither Monica nor Dean had ever gotten a chance to meet the man in person.


Thatโs where the wedding day surprise idea came from.
The families decided that while Colton couldnโt be there himself to attend the ceremony, they could at least bring part of him in. As the couple stood in the courtroom to finalize their vows in front of the judge, the families called Travis in to approach the stand. They then gave the two of them a stethoscope so they could listen to their sonโs heartbeat one last time in Travisโs chest.


The whole touching moment was captured on video and itโs something that you have to see for yourself.
Understandably, everyone involved was brought to tears.
โYouโre bringing the heart back home. To me, this is just a temporary heart. Iโm just borrowing it. To me, this is where it belongs, with this wonderful, awesome family,โ Stufflebean said


Dean and Monica were both so thankful for the opportunity to finally meet the man.
It was such a beautiful surprise, albeit a little overwhelming for everyone involved.
โOverwhelmed, very overwhelmed, very surprised. We werenโt expecting that at all,โ the couple said after completing the ceremony.


It helped give them much-needed closure as they continued on into the next chapter of their lives as husband and wife.
โThank you a lot. It means a lot. I never thought we would get to meet him. Thank you,โ said Monica as she wiped away the tears.
Sadly, Colton couldnโt be there to see his parents get married with his own eyes. Yet, a small piece of him lives on through Travis and all of the others who his organs helped to save.
Watch the full video of the emotional wedding ceremony visit below.
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