Groom's Heartfelt Wedding Day Letter To Bride After Life-Saving Kidney Transplant

NORTH FORK, NY — It's the happiest of endings for a Southold woman who's marrying her forever love — after her childhood best friend donated a kidney to save his life.

Megan McIver and her fiance Matthew Botchler faced months of fear and uncertainty as the clock ticked and the desperate search for a kidney unfolded.

Alexandria Lawson, who has been friends with McIver since the two met as children in Southold, stepped up and donated her kidney, saving Botcher's life.

And on Thursday, McIver and Botchler will be married in the Catskills, at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, the happily ever after ending long dreamed about by the many who love them.

Botchler turned to social media to write a heartfelt letter to his bride:

"So the day has finally arrived. All the hard work, stress, and years battling illness and battling for my life has paid off.

"The promise I made to Megan Elizabeth, that I'll be around to see this day through, I have kept.

"Today is going to be amazing. Everything is perfect and all set up. In just a few hours we will be getting ready. I will then be able to see my beautiful bride for our first look. . . stand and look at her and say my vows and the words that mean so much and sum up how I feel and what we have been through to make it to this very special day.

"This is our day! The day Megan and I have dreamed of and talked about so much. We have lots of great friends and family here with us today and I thank them all for coming to celebrate our day with us. . . Please don't be nervous, and if you cry, I want it being the happiest tears ever to come from those beautiful eyes. We fought long and hard and we beat the odds and we are here, so let's do this!

"Let's get out there and enjoy our love for one another and let's start another crazy chapter and journey in our lives together — but this time, as husband and wife. I love you to the moon and back, sweetheart. I'll see you soon. xoxox."

As she prepared for the moment when she'll walk down the aisle to meet her love, McIver told Patch, "I am so unbelievable happy! It's been a long journey for the both of us and we are finally getting our happily ever after."

In December, the couple, and Lawson, celebrated their “one year kidney transplant” anniversary.

It’s a story of deep friendship, abiding love, and the prayers of a community that stood strong for the couple while the search for a kidney commenced.

Botchler was in Stage Four kidney failure and in a race against time when McIver's lifetime friend stepped up and learned she was a match.

McIver, who lives with Botchler in Selden, said she sometimes still worries. “Every time Matt goes to have bloodwork, I find myself holding my breath until we get the results to see if the kidney is still going strong,” she said.

But for the most part, those moments of fear are fleeting, and normal life is something she and Botchler savor each and every day. “I am so grateful to have our life back,” McIver said. “To enjoy the simple things like going for a walk, having somewhat normal conversations consisting of, ‘How was work today?’ instead of ’How do you feel?’”

And the couple agrees they are forever grateful to Lawson for her courage and steadfast friendship. “I will always be in debt to Alex for her selfless act. Of course, she is in the wedding party!” she said. “There would be no wedding without her. There are no words to ever truly capture the feelings and emotions of the gratefulness that I feel toward Alex. She truly is a miracle.”

For Botchler, life is “great.” He said he’s adjusted to his new lifestyle, gotten his meds under control, and experienced lab checkups that have all come back with good numbers.

Botchler was also able to return to work and is pursuing his passion for woodworking.

On her end, Lawson said she has “no regrets” and highly recommends organ donation.

Of his ”crazy journey,” Botchler said he has “learned so much about myself and others. I spread as much awareness as possible and, since my transplant, I have been able to give back and help others that are going through this, as well.”

By sharing his story, Botchler hopes to shed light on the benefits of organ donation, and to inspire hope in those battling kidney disease, encouraging them to “keep up the fight.”

He’s even had friends and co-workers change their status on their drivers’ licenses to state that they are organ donors.

“Every day is a blessing,” Botchler said. “I thank Alex for giving me a second chance at life.”

Patch photo courtesy of Megan McIver and Matthew Botchler.