And they lived happily ever after!

 

Don't you just love a happily ever after story? Most of you probably remember the story of Dallas Wiens. He was horribly disfigured in an accident when his head touched a high-voltage power line while he was painting a church window. He literally completely lost his face.

 

Dallas was the first man to receive a full face transplant. I remember when his little daughter saw him for the first time after the transplant. Even though his mouth sagged on one side and he didn't look quite normal, his little girl crawled up into his lap and said, "Daddy, you're so handsome." Now some of you know Essie, and you know she's not a particularly emotional person, but even as I type that story, tears come to my eyes.

 

Jamie Nash has endured her own living hell. She was texting while driving and had a terrible accident in 2010. She was severely burned over 70% of her body and has her own scars and rehab to deal with. Between the two of them, Jamie and Dallas have had 69 surgeries. Dallas's philosophy is, "You can get better or you can get bitter. I chose better."

 

Jamie and Dallas never met while both were patients at Parkland Hospital, but a nurse who had worked with both of them finally got them together. And they fell in love. But they delayed their engagement until Jamie's scarred ring finger grew straight enough to wear a ring. When she first was able to straighten it in rehab, she called Dallas, and they headed for the jewelry store. Dallas and Jamie plan to be married March 30 at the church where Dallas had his accident.

 

Merry Christmas, Dallas and Jamie, and may your marriage truly be happily ever after!

 

"It was totally romantic." The Dallas Morning News; December 4, 2012; p. 1B.