Bride Meets The Man Carrying Her Son's Heart On Her Wedding Day

The groom surprised her by inviting the man who received a heart transplant from her late son.
|

Groom Kelly Turney surprised his bride Becky with a special last-minute addition to the bridal party at their wedding on Saturday. 

During the ceremony in Palmer, Alaska, Becky met honorary groomsman Jacob Kilby for the very first time. Jacob is the man who received a life-saving heart transplant from the bride’s late son Triston Green, who died in 2015 at the age of 19.

The emotional moment was captured by photographer Amber Lanphier of Love Adventured.

“I knew about this surprise but nothing prepares you for the beauty of this moment,” Amber wrote in a Facebook post. 

The pictures were featured on the Love What Matters Facebook page and have since gone viral. 

Open Image Modal
Jacob's presence made a special day even more memorable.

Leading up to the wedding, the groom arranged for Jacob to fly to Alaska for the big day so that Triston could be there in spirit.

“When [Kelly] announced Jacob was in the crowd my jaw dropped, I couldn’t believe it!” the bride told Babble. “I squealed like a little girl, jumped up and down, and couldn’t wait to embrace him.”

Open Image Modal
Becky was visibly shocked to see Jacob at the wedding.
Open Image Modal
An emotional embrace.

In one especially touching photo, Becky puts a stethoscope to Jacob’s chest to listen to her son’s heartbeat.  

Open Image Modal
Becky listened to her son's heart beating through Jacob's chest.
Open Image Modal
The bride attached a picture of her late son to her bouquet.

On her Facebook page, the bride wrote that Jacob’s presence was the “most amazing surprise.” 

“Hands down the best gift. Most amazing surprise ever!” she wrote. “Thank you for caring for Triston’s heart. Thank you for being here!” 

The Huffington Post reached out to the couple for comment but had not heard back at the time of publication. This story may be updated. 

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Most Emotional Wedding Pics
(01 of17)
Open Image Modal

"The bride and groom both lost siblings within a few years of each other. It was an overcast day in late June and even rained a tiny bit during family portraits. Later in the day, a stunning rainbow appeared in a sky lit up with an orange sunset. Many guests burst into tears and embraced the bride and groom, telling them it was their brother and sister showing their presence at the wedding." - Anna Delores

(credit:<a href="http://www.annadelores.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Anna Delores Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.annadelores.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="16" data-vars-position-in-unit="27">Anna Delores Photography</a>)
(02 of17)
Open Image Modal

"Jazell and Paul's wedding has got to be the one with the most emotional bridesmaids. Most of the time, one or two tear up, but almost every one of Jazell's girls cried that day when she was reciting her vows." - Jenn Tai

(credit:<a href="http://weddingsbyjenn.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Jenn Tai" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://weddingsbyjenn.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="15" data-vars-position-in-unit="26">Jenn Tai</a>)
(03 of17)
Open Image Modal

"I've seen a lot of brides cry as they are walking down the aisle, but Luna lit up in a way that I had never seen before. I have truly never witnessed a happier, more beaming bride as she locked eyes with Federico. Her joy made me choke up because it was so palpable!" - Bre Thurston

(credit:<a href="http://www.brethurston.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Bre Thurston" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.brethurston.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="14" data-vars-position-in-unit="25">Bre Thurston</a>)
(04 of17)
Open Image Modal

"Jason's eyes welled up with tears as he listened to Nick recite personalized vows during their ceremony." - Lauren Saldutti

(credit:<a href="http://aguyandagirlphotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="A Guy and A Girl Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://aguyandagirlphotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="13" data-vars-position-in-unit="24">A Guy and A Girl Photography</a>)
(05 of17)
Open Image Modal

"All the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride and groom gathered around this sweet bride and prayed over her. It was so genuine, sweet and powerful. The fact that each person took the time to say their own little prayer made it so personal." - Nicole Moering

(credit:<a href="http://www.tlbsllc.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Three Little Birds Studio" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.tlbsllc.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="12" data-vars-position-in-unit="23">Three Little Birds Studio</a>)
(06 of17)
Open Image Modal

"Janine’s fiancé died 52 days before her wedding. This is the first time in my professional career I was asked to photograph a wedding where only one person was actually going to be showing up. I cried with her on this shoot day and this was a first for me. I really admire her courage and know she inspired thousands and thousands of people." - Matt Adcock

(credit:<a href="http://www.delsolphotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Matt Adcock - Del Sol Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.delsolphotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="11" data-vars-position-in-unit="22">Matt Adcock - Del Sol Photography</a>)
(07 of17)
Open Image Modal
"The bride, Kelsey, planned a special moment for her dad to see her for the first time on her wedding day. While I photographed the two of them, her mom tried to stay out of my way. But when I saw her excitement, I knew I had to capture it." - Laura Zastrow (credit:<a href="http://www.laurazastrow.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Laura Zastrow Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.laurazastrow.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="10" data-vars-position-in-unit="21">Laura Zastrow Photography</a>)
(08 of17)
Open Image Modal

"Natalia and Mike are high school sweethearts who have been together for 10 years! This emotional moment was captured just before he turns around to see her in her wedding dress for the first time." - Lisa Robinson

(credit:<a href="http://www.lisarobinsonphotographer.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Lisa Robinson Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.lisarobinsonphotographer.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="9" data-vars-position-in-unit="20">Lisa Robinson Photography</a>)
(09 of17)
Open Image Modal

"Davis Ann's grandfather was buried at the same church she was getting married at in New Bern, North Carolina. Before the ceremony, under dark clouds of a large passing storm, she took a single flower to place on his grave stone. Afterwards, her hand rose to her face for a brief second when I heard a faint but audible gasp, before she began to weep." - Hooman Bahrani

(credit:<a href="http://www.vesic.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Vesic Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.vesic.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="8" data-vars-position-in-unit="19">Vesic Photography</a>)
(10 of17)
Open Image Modal

"The groom giving praise during the ceremony." - Ross Oscar Knight

(credit:<a href="http://www.knightweddings.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Knight Weddings " data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.knightweddings.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="7" data-vars-position-in-unit="18">Knight Weddings </a>)
(11 of17)
Open Image Modal

"We think it's important to capture the first time the bride and groom see each other. However, as a father and photographer, this is the one photo that I MUST have: when the dad sees his daughter before the wedding." - Brian Mullins

(credit:<a href="http://www.brianmullinsphotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Brian Mullins Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.brianmullinsphotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="6" data-vars-position-in-unit="17">Brian Mullins Photography</a>)
(12 of17)
Open Image Modal
"The father of the bride passed away shortly before the wedding day. So the bride did a dance with her brothers and uncles." - Mike Allebach (credit:<a href="http://allebachphotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Allebach Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://allebachphotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="5" data-vars-position-in-unit="16">Allebach Photography</a>)
(13 of17)
Open Image Modal

"The couple wrote their own vows for the ceremony. The groom went to comfort his bride during her vows because she started to cry." - Heather Shelley

(credit:<a href="http://www.dreamingtreestudios.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Dreaming Tree Studios" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.dreamingtreestudios.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="15">Dreaming Tree Studios</a>)
(14 of17)
Open Image Modal

"After a wedding ceremony at the Naval Academy, a bride and her groom decide to run towards the sun in a moment of spontaneity and joy!" - Jeremy Harwell

(credit:<a href="http://harwellphotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Harwell Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://harwellphotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="3" data-vars-position-in-unit="14">Harwell Photography</a>)
(15 of17)
Open Image Modal

"This groom shared a special moment with his grandfather -- whom he was named after -- during the reception. It is one of the couple's favorite photos from the wedding day." - Duy Ho

(credit:<a href="http://duyhophotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Duy Ho Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://duyhophotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="2" data-vars-position-in-unit="13">Duy Ho Photography</a>)
(16 of17)
Open Image Modal

"This intense moment happened seconds before Mary Shawn walked down the aisle with her father Joe. They were both very emotional and nervous, a moment this father and daughter will surely never forget!" - Tracey Buyce

(credit:<a href="http://www.traceybuyce.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Tracey Buyce Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.traceybuyce.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="1" data-vars-position-in-unit="12">Tracey Buyce Photography</a>)
(17 of17)
Open Image Modal

"The groom's father had passed away 11 years ago. They had the memorial flag that he had earned as a Navy veteran flying over at the reception. Right at sunset, everyone gathered as the bride, groom and family members lowered and folded the flag. The ceremony was their way of sharing his presence with everyone." - Katie Kaizer

(credit:<a href="http://www.katiekaizerphotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Katie Kaizer Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5963d755e4b005b0fdc7802d" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.katiekaizerphotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="0" data-vars-position-in-unit="11">Katie Kaizer Photography</a>)

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE