Mom finds love at the heart of the hospital on Valentine's Day (exclusive)

• Christine and Kendel Paul were both heart patients when they met at a hospital in New York on Valentine's Day 2022.
• They hit it, but they were in other relationships at the time. A few months later, they were single and went on their first date
• They got married in December 2024 and “everything hasn't been separated ever since.”

Christine Paul recalls her thoughts in April 2018 when she left the hospital's cardiac department following a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant. Her life had been expanding, but LVAD was now helping to pump blood from her heart – she was worried. “Who loves me?” she recalls. “no one.”

At the age of 37, a graduate student from Queens, New York, feared that she would end up alone.

“If you get sick, 'I'm going to find someone, they'll fall in love with me – and they might lose me – or they'll become my caretaker Imagine it might be.” And who wants it? ”

LVAD became a temporary solution to her heart problems. She had known from the age of 29 that she had genetic cardiomyopathy and would eventually need a heart transplant. May 2021, she had the steps in North Shore University Hospital In Manhasset, New York.

However, almost a year later, in February 2022, Christine was infected after suffering from pneumonia and returned to the cardio-thoracic ICU.

While she was recovering, the nurse practitioner asked Christine if she would like to chat with another patient. It happened to be Valentine's Day, but the requests were not uncommon. Christine often spoke with other patients undergoing LVAD and heart transplants to provide support and encouragement.

“It's important to share your story with others because you don't know where you can help. You never know where you can lift someone's spirit and put a smile on their face. That's because,” says Christine, now 44. Get over something. ”

That was her way of thinking when she stepped into Kendel Paul (now 42)'s room where she was getting her LVAD device. The first thing she noticed was his height and how well it matched her own. She is 6'1″ and he is 6'3″.

She learned more about Kendel's story. The plumber, he realized that there were not enough stairs to breathe in. He thought he had COVID, but soon learned that symptoms were caused by cardiac expansion – he was heart failure. He admits to Christine that he is nervous about getting his LVAD.

The two continued to talk, discovering that they had a lot in common. They are both parents of two boys, and their youngest son is both named Noah.

They exchanged numbers but were in other relationships. After being discharged from hospital, they sometimes text messages and make short calls to provide support for each other.

By November of that year, their lives had changed. Both were single, so Kendel suggested going out for dinner. Their first date was December 2nd, 2022.

“We can't separate since then,” says Christine. “It all fits.”

Over time they learned about more similarities between them. Kendel was born in Trinidad and Christine's mother was also born. They love trivia and quizz each other about the capital of the nation. They enjoyed their trip and visited Houston, New Orleans, Atlantic City, Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, their lives were more intertwined. She made him work. They split the bill and accompanied each other to the appointment of doctors (Kendel may need a heart transplant in the future). Then they went in together.

Kendel says he appreciates Christine's personality and how smart she is. “She is my yang yin,” he says. She's chatty, he's quiet. “She rarely puts things down until tomorrow. I tend to do that. It helps people like that. She's very caring. She's very thoughtful.”

Christine knew how special he was. “I met someone who cared about me.

Kendel wanted to get married soon. “What are we waiting for?” he felt like he was already married.

She remembers the same feelings. “It was all tight and quickly intertwined,” she says.

They got married on December 8th, 2024.

“It was a very beautiful day,” says Christine. “What I remember most was when we said our vows: “In illness and health.”

“They understand what that means and they both understand what that means. [more than we do]? ”

Either one could get sick, but Kendel says it could happen to any couple in any relationship. “So, if you feel that's right – do that and don't be scared.”

Due to Kendel's health, he can no longer work as a plumber. He returned to school and became a certified phbebotomist and ekg technician and currently works as a patient care technician at a rehabilitation hospital. Christine works for a nonprofit organization Liveonnyadvocates organ donation and helps families decide to donate organs.

They spend all their time together and share everything. They have the same password on their mobile phones. “It's not hiding,” Christine says. “We cook together, we clean together. We're nothing apart.” She works at home on her days off from work. He sits next to her and works.

The entire healthcare team at North Shore University Hospital was excited and tickled by the Meat Cute happening on Valentine's Day.

“We couldn't be happy for them,” says their advanced heart failure and transplant psychologist. Dr. Lauren B. CooperDirector of Cardiac Disorders, Northwell Health North Shore University Hospital.

“Finding new love and new relationships – that's really why we do this – because we want people to have it. We take care of the sick and sickest people. , and hope that at the end they will come to the clinic and talk about their holidays and their grandchildren, and the lives they live,” she says.

“A lot of people don't get LVAD or get a transplant, so it's really exciting for them to find support from each other and live this life together.”