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ROY — Home video shows the happy day June 30 when Cody and Vanessa got married. They smear each other's faces with wedding cake; a bit of playful fun before a serious undertaking.
When Vanessa said, "I do," she really meant it. She was marrying a divorced single-father of two, whose younger child was gravely ill. Austin, age 2, had multiple birth defects. He needed a kidney transplant. Vanessa was a match.
"He's my son, and I'd do anything for him," Vanessa said.
Falling in love
They met when she was a missionary serving in Utah. She is from Arizona, but her family had recently moved to Georgia. Cody's parents cared for Austin and 3-year-old Destanee often, and Vanessa got to know his kids first at their house on visits. After her mission ended and she returned to Georgia, Cody reached out on Facebook. They eventually fell in love. Vanessa had returned to Utah for school but got married instead.
"I had said prayers and asked for help with Austin," Cody said. "I'm just thankful, honestly, that she came into our lives."
Vanessa, he said, was the answer to that prayer.
She said she feels blessed as well. "Austin has a special spirit about him. You can't help but love him."
A selfless gift
The new bride, having never been in the hospital before, donated her kidney to Austin. Though she was nervous about the surgery and the risks, she knew with certainty she wanted to do it.
"I was nervous and scared about the surgery," she said, turning to comfort Austin as he fussed and bouncing him on her knee.
Austin has had multiple surgeries, and Vanessa said it pained her to see him suffering. She began to cry at the thought of it.
"It's emotional because of the things we've had to go through, the things we've had to see him go through," she said.
A snapshot shows a tearful Vanessa cradling Austin in his hospital bed after the surgery on Oct. 27, at Primary Children's Hospital. Though she is his mother by marriage, she said she loves him like her own.
"I do. Very much. I kind of count him as my own since he has my kidney," Vanessa laughed.
Austin's care is around the clock. He takes multiple medications day and night, and he's also hooked up to a feeding machine for 16 hours each day. It's a job she does lovingly.
Cody wiped away tears as he tried to put into words his gratitude. "It's just really ... she saved his life."
Faith regained
For a time, Cody lost his faith. Divorced and caring for a critically ill son, he said he was mad at the world and didn't understand why God would allow his baby boy to have so many health problems.
Then, he met Vanessa, who did something truly heroic for one simple reason: "Love for all of them," she said.
This kind act and the love they have found has helped restore Cody's faith. "Everything happens for a reason," he said. "God is looking out for our family."
Austin's prognosis is good. The Taylors report that doctors say Austin will soon catch up with other kids his age developmentally and live a healthy life.
