WSMV Channel 4 Couple is perfect match for kidney transplant

While many are buying their sweethearts flowers, chocolate, or maybe jewelry on Valentine's Day, one man is giving his girlfriend the gift of life.

Terry Lee is spending this Valentine's Day in the hospital, but he won't be alone. His girlfriend, Latrisha Beckwith, will be at his side.

After a five-month whirlwind romance, fate took a turn and brought them both to Vanderbilt Medical Center.

"I wanted to be with her, and I wanted her to have a normal life," said Lee.

Beckwith has lupus and needed a new kidney. None of her family members were a match, but Lee insisted on getting tested.

"It wasn't a hard decision at all," said Lee.

It turns out he was a perfect match to donate.

"Even though I knew he was O+, for some reason it didn't register that things would work out because it was too perfect," said Beckwith.

After a few more doctors' visits then it came time to pick the transplant date.

"December was booked. January was pretty much booked, February was wide open," said Beckwith. "This is stuff you hear about in books and in movies, but it doesn't seem like real life," said Beckwith. "I'm happy and I'm grateful, and I feel like our paths were supposed to cross and this is why."

The two will remain at Vanderbilt for the next three to four days recovering.

They'll spend the next 10 days in a nearby hotel to be close for post-operation check-ups.

After this potentially life-saving transplant, Beckwith jokes that Lee never has to give her another Valentine's Day gift in the future.

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