In a heartwarming twist of fate, a couple who first crossed paths seven years ago under extraordinary circumstances have recently gotten engaged at the very place where their journey began. It was inside Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, where Zach Zarembinski asked Isabelle Richard to marry him, bringing their love story full circle.

The couple’s unique connection dates back to 2018 when they were both patients at the hospital following severe injuries that left them in comas. Their shared experience forged a bond that has grown stronger over the years, culminating in this joyous proposal, as reported by Kare11.

Zarembinski orchestrated the proposal with a touch of creativity and nostalgia. In front of a gathering of hospital staff and family members, he asked Richard, “Will you marry me?” The heartfelt moment was captured on a podcast episode shared on YouTube, where Richard’s immediate and joyful “Yes” was met with applause and cheers.

The scene became even more enchanting as a backdrop fell away to reveal a large heart made from flowers with the words “Will you marry me?” beautifully inscribed. This romantic setup was a surprise for Richard, who had been led to believe they were simply recording an episode of their podcast, “Hope in Healing,” back at the hospital.

Zarembinski tricked his future bride into returning to the hospital, claiming he got permission to record an episode of their podcast “Hope in Healing.”

“This is a very honor to be here. We are allowed to record this podcast in Regions Hospital where all the nurses and doctors took care of us and it’s just bringing tears to my eye to be able to come here and see this,” Zarembinski said.

Before proposing, Zarembinski got his now-fiancée to stand up as he pointed to the area where he first met Richard’s family in November 2018 after he woke from his coma.

The then-18-year-old suffered a brain bleed and collapsed on the sidelines of a high school football game on Oct. 28, 2018.

He was rushed to Regions Hospital and placed in a medically induced coma as doctors performed a craniotomy to remove the left side of his skull to allow his brain to swell, MPRNews reported at the time.

The senior lineman responded well to the surgery, was stabilized and woke up nine days later.

Around the same time, 16-year-old Richard was on her way to work at a grocery store when she was involved in a car crash and suffered a massive head injury, Kare11 reported.

She remained in a coma as news crews converged on the hospital for a press conference after Zarembinski woke up.

Richard’s mother, Esther Wilzbacher, spoke with Zarembinski and he told her that she was going to be alright.

The 16-year-old woke up days later and eventually the two young patients met, talking for a few minutes and taking a picture, as Richard sat in her hospital bed.

“Said a couple kind words to Isabelle and that was it for six years,” Zarembinski said, according to the outlet.

Wilzbacher and Zarembinski’s mom, Tracy, remained in touch as their children recovered, only meeting up in 2024 for dinner between the two families.

During the meal, Zarembinski asked Richard for her number and the two began dating.

Besides the shared trauma, the two had from their hospital stints, there were “practical considerations” for them to marry, as they both had parts of their skulls removed to relieve swelling.

“It’s opposite sides of our brain,” Richard told Kare11. “So, it’s kind of like we complement each other in that way. Things that I’m bad at, he’s good at.”

The lovebird’s parents were excited for the engagement, but wouldn’t take credit for getting their children together.

“We’re just blessed to have a front row to their miracle,” Wilzbacher said.