FORT WORTH, Texas — After five years of dialysis, Tony Cross had been anxiously awaiting the phone call that would bring news that his time on the kidney transplant list had, at last, come to an end.

When that call finally came on March 6, Cross and his fiancée, Cynthia McIntosh, rushed to Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital, where the 61-year-old security guard underwent transplant surgery that same day.

During his recovery at the hospital, with the new perspective on life that receiving such a gift can bring, Cross decided he’d done enough waiting. He suggested to McIntosh, 70, that they ditch their plans to get married at the courthouse later this month and instead tie the knot right there at the hospital.

“I was just tired of waiting, and I didn’t want to wait that long,” Cross explained. “I love the woman. Cynthia has been really supportive of me and everything I’ve been going through.”

On Monday, just four days after his surgery and with his caregivers, transplant surgeon and granddaughter in attendance, Cross and McIntosh exchanged vows and officially became husband and wife in a chapel at Texas Health Fort Worth. “I think it’s a beautiful thing that we can take part in this,” said Eric Siskind, M.D., surgical director of the Kidney Transplant Program at Texas Health Fort Worth. “It teaches us that every day is precious and that’s why we do kidney transplants. So that patients can live longer and healthier lives and be healthy to achieve all of the goals that they want – to foster the relationships that are important to them … to spend time with the families that are important to them. We’re happy to be a part of it, and it’s truly a miraculous occurrence.”

Robyn Dye, administrator of the hospital’s Kidney Transplant Program, said caregivers were “beyond thrilled” to be included in the unique wedding.

“They were just planning to have the chaplain marry them in their hospital room, but we told them, ‘No Way! We are going to make it special!’” Dye said.

Hospital President Jarod Shelton, FACHE, wasn’t surprised.

“Our caregivers go above and beyond every day in taking care of our patients,” Shelton said. “That they would pitch in to throw an impromptu but memorable wedding for a transplant patient truly exemplifies the compassion they bring to their work.”

Caregivers provided a cake, flowers, decorations and even nonalcoholic sparkling wine with which to toast the new couple. Marlonda McIntosh served as her grandmother’s maid of honor, while McIntosh’s daughter watched via video call from her home in Louisiana. Minister Ocielia Sprowl officiated the ceremony.

“Transplantation is about giving people a chance at a new life, but rarely do the medical teams have the opportunity to experience firsthand the joy a transplant brings to families after their surgeries,” Dye said. “We are so grateful to have had that opportunity to share in Tony and Cynthia’s joy and wish them many happy and – just as important – healthy years together.”

Cross was touched by the impromptu ceremony.

“When I said we’re doing this in the hospital, I never have thought it would be the event that it just turned out to be,” he said following the wedding. “I appreciate you all.”

Cross said organ donation – whether given after death like his donor or while living – is important and he urged those with the means and the heart to consider it. Learn more about becoming a kidney donor here.

“You can save someone’s life, and I am so appreciative to whomever I got this kidney from,” Cross said. “I really thank God for this opportunity and receiving this gift, because I wasn’t sure how long it would be.”

His new kidney will help Cross, a member of Circle L Five Riding Club – the oldest Black riding club in Texas – get back in the saddle again.

And he’s teaching his new wife how to ride, so she can join him.