MONROE - Love stories can have different narratives.
The tale of Justin "Boots" Weber and his wife, Heidi Weber, is one few others can share.
The two met at AmericInn in Monroe a decade ago when Monroe graduate Justin decided to go swimming with some friends. Heidi, a native of Juda, was working there at the time. The two became an instant couple. They got engaged on Sweetest Day 2013, the day to share romantic deeds or expressions celebrated in late October, and married in May 2015.
At the beginning of married life, the young Monroe couple enjoyed life together. They went on vacations, took fishing trips, rode ATVs and just spent time hanging out with friends and family.
But in July 2017, life began to change, and fun went on hiatus.
"I was coughing up blood and found out I had extremely high blood pressure," Justin said. "Heidi forced me to go to the doctor, but I didn't think twice about the high blood pressure."
Justin learned shortly after he was in end-stage renal failure. The news stunned the pair.
"I was shocked and overwhelmed," Justin said. "(It was) very unexpected. We didn't have any health insurance at the time, which delayed everything. Finding out came in steps - every doctor's appointment was worse news than the one prior."
Heidi was grappling with her husband's diagnosis, but wasted no time before confronting the situation head on as a supportive partner.
"I always ask myself, 'how can something like this happen to such a young and active 28-year-old,'" she said. "I try to be his rock and just support him. And I tend to make sure he takes his meds - he would forget those every day if I don't remind him."
Justin was eventually told both of his kidneys needed to be removed. He signed up for a donor waiting list and began to wait. And wait. And wait.
Then Santa gave Justin and Heidi the gift of a lifetime.
"Heidi found out the day before Christmas that she was my match. (A) Christmas miracle," Justin said. "(I was) very excited, surprised and lucky. Not everyone gets that lucky to find a match so soon."
Heidi was also surprised to hear the news, but is taking the role as donor in stride.
"It's rewarding to be an organ donor," Heidi said. "To help someone in need is a great feeling, let alone to help my best friend. I was shocked and excited that we matched blood types let alone all the other tests and factors that go into finding a match."
Less than two months later they were ready for surgery. Feb. 8 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, the young couple prepped for surgery as both of their families waited outside.
"I think everyone in our family has been as shocked through this entire process," Justin said. "They may have even been a little more scared than Heidi and I have been. Everyone has been extremely supportive and helpful."
The surgery was deemed an early success, though the couple shared in an email that Heidi had a reaction to medication.
Justin said UW Health Transplant Clinic "was fantastic." Both he and Heidi returned home Sunday.
Now the recovery process is underway. Doctors will have to wait to see if their bodies accept the changes - Justin's receiving the kidney transplant, and Heidi's after losing one.
"I will have a longer recovery than Heidi," Justin said, noting that he will take around 12 weeks to heal and Heidi's recovery could last from six to eight weeks. But Heidi's recovery might be more difficult as her body adjusts to a single kidney. She could experience fatigue for several weeks.
"We have been though a lot in our relationship and this is another milestone on the path to recovery and better health and I am so happy that my wife and best friend was such a huge part of helping me get better," Justin said. "It's funny to think I have a part of her with me all of the time."
Both husband and wife will not be working in the interim. Multiple funds have been established on their behalf to raise money for bills while they recover. A pool tournament, silent auction, raffle and t-shirts will be up for grabs at Bartels and Co. Tap Bar in Monroe Feb. 24.
"We are completely overwhelmed with our family and friends' outreach into the community for help," Justin said. "Most people are shocked and then excited when I tell them my wife is my match."
Woodford State Bank has a fund in their name, and a website is dedicated to their fight.
"The community outreach has just been unreal," Justin said. "We really can't thank everyone enough for all the donations and reaching out during such a hard time. We are so grateful for our family and friends. My advice would be, no matter your age, to keep an eye on your blood pressure and make healthier eating choices."
The tale of Justin "Boots" Weber and his wife, Heidi Weber, is one few others can share.
The two met at AmericInn in Monroe a decade ago when Monroe graduate Justin decided to go swimming with some friends. Heidi, a native of Juda, was working there at the time. The two became an instant couple. They got engaged on Sweetest Day 2013, the day to share romantic deeds or expressions celebrated in late October, and married in May 2015.
At the beginning of married life, the young Monroe couple enjoyed life together. They went on vacations, took fishing trips, rode ATVs and just spent time hanging out with friends and family.
But in July 2017, life began to change, and fun went on hiatus.
"I was coughing up blood and found out I had extremely high blood pressure," Justin said. "Heidi forced me to go to the doctor, but I didn't think twice about the high blood pressure."
Justin learned shortly after he was in end-stage renal failure. The news stunned the pair.
"I was shocked and overwhelmed," Justin said. "(It was) very unexpected. We didn't have any health insurance at the time, which delayed everything. Finding out came in steps - every doctor's appointment was worse news than the one prior."
Heidi was grappling with her husband's diagnosis, but wasted no time before confronting the situation head on as a supportive partner.
"I always ask myself, 'how can something like this happen to such a young and active 28-year-old,'" she said. "I try to be his rock and just support him. And I tend to make sure he takes his meds - he would forget those every day if I don't remind him."
Justin was eventually told both of his kidneys needed to be removed. He signed up for a donor waiting list and began to wait. And wait. And wait.
Then Santa gave Justin and Heidi the gift of a lifetime.
"Heidi found out the day before Christmas that she was my match. (A) Christmas miracle," Justin said. "(I was) very excited, surprised and lucky. Not everyone gets that lucky to find a match so soon."
Heidi was also surprised to hear the news, but is taking the role as donor in stride.
"It's rewarding to be an organ donor," Heidi said. "To help someone in need is a great feeling, let alone to help my best friend. I was shocked and excited that we matched blood types let alone all the other tests and factors that go into finding a match."
Less than two months later they were ready for surgery. Feb. 8 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, the young couple prepped for surgery as both of their families waited outside.
"I think everyone in our family has been as shocked through this entire process," Justin said. "They may have even been a little more scared than Heidi and I have been. Everyone has been extremely supportive and helpful."
The surgery was deemed an early success, though the couple shared in an email that Heidi had a reaction to medication.
Justin said UW Health Transplant Clinic "was fantastic." Both he and Heidi returned home Sunday.
Now the recovery process is underway. Doctors will have to wait to see if their bodies accept the changes - Justin's receiving the kidney transplant, and Heidi's after losing one.
"I will have a longer recovery than Heidi," Justin said, noting that he will take around 12 weeks to heal and Heidi's recovery could last from six to eight weeks. But Heidi's recovery might be more difficult as her body adjusts to a single kidney. She could experience fatigue for several weeks.
"We have been though a lot in our relationship and this is another milestone on the path to recovery and better health and I am so happy that my wife and best friend was such a huge part of helping me get better," Justin said. "It's funny to think I have a part of her with me all of the time."
Both husband and wife will not be working in the interim. Multiple funds have been established on their behalf to raise money for bills while they recover. A pool tournament, silent auction, raffle and t-shirts will be up for grabs at Bartels and Co. Tap Bar in Monroe Feb. 24.
"We are completely overwhelmed with our family and friends' outreach into the community for help," Justin said. "Most people are shocked and then excited when I tell them my wife is my match."
Woodford State Bank has a fund in their name, and a website is dedicated to their fight.
"The community outreach has just been unreal," Justin said. "We really can't thank everyone enough for all the donations and reaching out during such a hard time. We are so grateful for our family and friends. My advice would be, no matter your age, to keep an eye on your blood pressure and make healthier eating choices."