ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Kortney and Nick Pavone soak in a gorgeous day along the St. Petersburg waterfront. For this young couple, even simple walks these days seem extra special, because they can take them together.
This love story began with an office romance. "She's always in a good mood," says Nick of Kortney.
Kortney responds, "He's honest and he's kind."
In 2009, Kortney and Nick were married on Siesta Beach under a sky drenched with color. "It was a perfect day. It was beautiful," says Kortney.
But on that special day, the bride and groom could not know how their vows of "in sickness and in health" would one day play out.
For years, Kortney has struggled with kidney disease. "I didn't feel good a lot of days," she says.
Nick adds, "Sometimes she would explain that it was a fog in her head. She couldn't think clearly."
In January 2011, doctors told Kortney her only options for living were dialysis or a transplant. "The toxins in my blood were pretty high," she says.
So the search started for what's called "a living donor," someone willing to give up one of their two kidneys.
"Me asking them to give me a part of their body, that could potentially work or potentially could not work, it's just...it's a lot to ask of somebody," says Kortney.
But Kortney and Nick, who had looked into each other's eyes and pledged their love, didn't have to look far. "I was praying and hoping that I would be the match," says Nick.
"They tested him and, lo and behold, he was the first one tested and he was the first match we found," says Kortney.
So, last September, the two took an early morning drive to Tampa General Hospital. It was a trip that would change both of their lives.
Nick was the first into pre-op. "It's really quiet and it's cold and the nerves start kicking in," he says. Then he was wheeled into surgery.
"We just said, 'I love you,'" says Kortney.
Nick adds, "Yeah, 'I love you and I'll see you when we come out of this.'"
While Nick was in surgery, Kortney waited with family and what a wait it was -- a procedure that typically lasts two-and-a-half hours took nearly twice that.
Then it was time for Kortney to receive his life-saving gift. "All right Kort, sweetheart, this is a new beginning for you," calls a relative as Kortney is wheeled into surgery.
"Take good care of her, Doc," calls her father.
"We will," he replies.
The TGH doctors delivered on that promise. Kortney's transplant went well and the impact of Nick's kidney was immediate. "His kidney was larger than most. It was as good one," Kortney says with a laugh.
At first, Kortney and Nick were on separate floors of the hospital relying on family and their phones for information, but after two days, Kortney got a visit.
"You look really good. I can't believe it," says Nick on a home video.
"I started crying when I saw her, because her face was pink and rosy and I was, oh my gosh, it's really working," says Nick of that day.
That home video also caught this romantic moment: "Want to see my scar?" asked Kortney.
Five months later, both Kortney and Nick are back at work and, deep down, they believe theirs is a love that was meant to be. "The stars were aligned," says Kortney. "How we met and how he was my match. Everything went really beautifully. We are so, so blessed."
They are blessed with each other and also by their three young children.
No doubt, Kortney and Nick share a special bond. "I always say, "'How's my kidney today," says a laughing Nick and Kortney responds, "And I say, 'Do you miss it?'"
So this couple shares a kidney and, on this Valentine's Day, they also share their hearts. Nick says, "Just to wake up every morning and know I saved my best friend and she's doing well...it's awesome!"