An Iowa couple decided to get married after the groom was taken off of ventilator amid his battle with COVID.
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28-year-old Johnathan Johnson was placed in the ICU at the Methodist Jennie Edmunson Hospital during his weeks battle with the coronavirus. After he was taken off of the ventilator, Johnson wanted to suprise his fiancee, Mariah, by deciding to get married at the hospital after realizing he had a second chance at life. He tells PEOPLE, “It really puts your life in perspective. I decided right then and there that I wanted to marry her. You don’t get too many chances in life. I wanted to make sure I had no regrets.”
“I was hoping she wouldn’t catch on to what was happening because she has great intuition.I wanted to marry her but I want it to be a sweet surprise,” he added. The hospital’s staff helped with the wedding by providing a memorable experience which included cake, wedding photos, music, and flowers.
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Mariah said she didn’t expect to be married so soon due to her fiancee’s diagnosis: “I was completely blown back. After that, I was an emotional ball because I was so shocked and didn’t think it would happen that soon,” she went on. “But I am so happy that it did, that way I can spend my forever with the man that I love.”
Johnson says he’s very happy to have married his best friend despite the emotional turmoil they experienced due to his battle with COVID. They also plan to get vaccinated after Johnathan’s release from the hospital.
“When she came in, she looked beautiful,” Jonathan recalled, jokingly adding that, “I didn’t cry, it was raining inside! It was great and I’m very happy I got to marry my best friend,”