A Kentucky woman is set to marry the brother of the young man whose liver donation saved her life two decades ago. Brooklyn Dotson, 24, will wed Noah Waters on September 26.
In 2003, Dotson was diagnosed with a rare liver condition and given only three days to live. Her mother was advised to make funeral arrangements, but a donor liver was found, and Dotson underwent a transplant surgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
The donor was Michael Waters, who was 10 years old when he was fatally struck by a car in Dayton, Ohio. His parents honored his wish to be an organ donor, including donating his liver to Dotson. "I had no idea that my brother was gonna save my wife's life 20 years later," Noah Waters told Lex 18.
Following the transplant, Dotson and Noah Waters, Michael's younger brother, developed a friendship that evolved into a romantic relationship. "Even as a kid, he’d do anything for anybody… he was way more mature than he needed to be," Noah Waters said of his late brother. Dotson recalled realizing she had feelings for Noah after her birthday, and he came to visit her that same weekend. "You get his last name," Noah Waters joyfully added, referencing his brother's legacy. Dotson stated, "I get to enjoy life because of him and I get to live and hopefully honor his memory the best way that I can."