He sat for hours on the cold linoleum floor with only a gum wrapper and time to kill. Entertaining a nervous nine-year-old boy with a paper football, waiting to hear the plight of his sister, was no small feat, but he did it with ease and gentleness. Hearing the news of the accident that early morning of November nineteenth, he came to Macon with his parents to be a support and comfort to his pastor and family. A few days later he came back to Macon to visit Shea although she was unconscious and completely unaware of his presence. He stepped closer to her bed and touched her cold swollen hand. Looking up at the monitors, reading the stats and then down at her lifeless body, he thought this might be the last time he would ever see her. Knowing music was a big part of Shea's life, he left his ipod for her to find comfort in familiar song.

Months after Shea came home from the hospital he came over for church band practice. Afraid of being seen, Shea hid in her room while the guys rehearsed. Week after week she isolated herself. One night after a long day of doctors' appointments, we drove home to find all the cars at our house. Rehearsal was already in progress. What should we do? Wait in the car? "I can't keep hiding. I need to go in," Shea said. As she walked in the front door, the music stopped. Their expressions said it all. She was alive and back with us. Jason, sitting on the floor with his guitar, carefully reached up and once again, touched her hand -- this time soft and warm. Few words were exchanged, but there was an undeniable connection for sure. The next day Jason left a message on Steve's cell phone where he poured out his heart about how unbelievably moved he was to witness this miracle. He wondered if he had experienced maybe a fraction of what the disciples felt when they touched Jesus again.

Phone calls became more and more as their friendship developed. Jason was there for every surgery and recovery. Oftentimes showing up with a carton of sorbet and a movie or some probiotics and a homemade shake. The flowers came later! Last August, Shea and Jason Baker declared their love for each other! We couldn't be happier for our little girl. Jason told Shea, "This is the face I fell in love with." Her scars he loves too -- they tell a story of character and a strength which only deepens their relationship more. Sometimes holding her teeth during meals or passing them to her quickly when people ask her a question. They've got it down! Quietly but attentively he attends to Shea's needs. With numbness on parts of her face, food seems to gravitate to those areas, but Jason nonchalantly wipes them away without a thought. They have had a different start from most couples. With the laughter that fills our home, you would never know the dark times these two have together shared.

What a bright spot this love relationship is in our family! Thanks for sharing in our joy.

Steve and Susan