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A hospital in Florida threw a special wedding for a bride who suffered severe burns in a BBQ accident just over a month prior
Arianna Esquiline, 34, and her fiancé, Elvin, said their “I dos” in the chapel at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 12
“Arianna’s story is a reminder that love and hope can show up even in the hardest moments,” the hospital wrote in a Facebook post
A hospital in Florida helped a burn victim have a wedding to remember.
On Thursday, Feb. 12, staff at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital arranged for Arianna Esquiline, 34, and her fiancé, Elvin, to tie the knot in a special ceremony after the couple got engaged last May, per NBC 6 South Florida.
The wedding comes more than a month after Arianna suffered severe third-degree burns on Jan. 3 following an accident with a barbecue grill while she was on vacation in Miami, the outlet noted.
Despite her recent injuries, Arianna was adamant that she wanted to still marry the love of her life, and she didn’t want to wait any longer.
The hospital wrote in a Facebook post on Friday, Feb. 13, “Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Arianna’s story is a reminder that love and hope can show up even in the hardest moments. 💙”
“Arianna, 34, is recovering in HCA Florida Kendall Hospital’s Trauma/Burn Intensive Care Unit after suffering third-degree burns to over 34% of her body in a BBQ accident,” the post stated.
It continued, “While in the hospital, she and her fiancé, Elvin, decided they didn’t want to wait any longer to get married.”
The hospital said their teams “coordinated a wedding in the hospital chapel” with Arianna’s “care team close by, and her mom and mother-in-law by her side.”
“With no officiant available, our COO, Joe Britner, stepped in to officiate,” the post added.
Britner shared of the couple’s special day, “As a hospital family, we are honored to support our patients not only in their healing, but in life’s most meaningful moments,” adding, “Today was a beautiful reminder of resilience, love, and the compassion of our care teams,” per the Facebook post.
Dr. Jonathan Freedman, a burn surgeon at the hospital, said of Arianna, “She has made an unbelievable turn and improved in her recovery, and we are all very proud of her,” according to NBC 6 South Florida.
“After the whole process here, I asked if she still wanted to get married to me, and she said yes,” Elvin said, per the outlet. “I said we will get married and she said now, right now in the hospital.”
Elvin managed to secure a marriage license and help plan the whole thing within two weeks, NBC 6 South Florida reported.
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Arianna, who is still recovering in the burn trauma intensive care unit (ICU) at the hospital, faces multiple surgeries in the coming weeks, before rehabilitation, NBC 6 South Florida noted. The couple then plans to return to their home in Fort Myers.
Arianna told the outlet that the accident had made her realize what’s important in life.
“After this happened, it made me realize this is the man I want in my life,” she told the station from her hospital bed. “I am thankful for all the doctors and nurses that take care of me.”
HCA Florida Kendall Hospital didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.
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