HUDSONVILLE, Mich. -- A local man and woman met Match.com, fell in love and got engaged. Great story, but not all that uncommon anymore. But, the bride-to-be says this relationship isn't just changing her life, but is saving it.
Natalie Russo and Mike Frias hit it off right away. About a month into their relationship, Natalie got some devastating news. Her doctor told her that her blood test results came back 'toxic'. She went to the emergency room right away and started dialysis. She needed a new kidney.
Russo says she thought this was going to put her entire life, including her new relationship on hold, but Mike had other plans. He stayed by her side the entire time, eventually proposing to her in the hospital. Mike also got tested to see if he could donate a kidney to Natalie.
He was a match. He met five of the six markers that a person needs to meet to be a good match for a patient.
"It's crazy that this all happened, but this is what you want out of love," says Natalie. " (You want) somebody that's going to stay by your side, no matter what happens to you."
Mike will be donating the kidney on March 21st, but he says he's more than happy to give it away, especially to the love of his life.
