Chicago couple Lewis Stepp and Monica Kaufman were set to marry on vacation in Mexico, but their wedding plans were derailed when the groom-to-be was faced with a sudden medical emergency.
According to WGN Chicago, Stepp needed immediate surgery to treat a blocked artery in his leg. But before he underwent the seven-hour surgery on Friday, he wanted to tie the knot with his girlfriend of three years.
"We were thinking of saving up and having a beautiful beach destination wedding," Stepp told WGN. "It didn't seem very important anymore. It seemed more important -- instead of saving up and having a perfect wedding -- to start spending my life with the perfect person for me."
A hospital social worker organized a wedding for the couple and 20 of their friends and family at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The bride was more than willing to forgo the surprise beach wedding Stepp had planned at the end of their trip in order to make his wish come true.
"He moved the heavens and earth to make this happen and I'll move the heavens and earth to get him back to himself," Kaufman said.
Watch the video above for more on the beautiful celebration.