07/07/2025
The day Angie Loving married Sam Abadir, she was on the list for a heart transplant. It was Feb. 29, 2020, three months after she survived a massive heart attack. She was still relearning how to eat, speak and walk; still dealing with ensuing blood clot issues; still working through daily therapy.
Sam had stayed by Angie’s side during her recovery, telling her over and over that he would marry her at any point. Angie told him, "I will get married to you, as long as I'm not in a hospital gown and I can walk down the aisle wearing a wedding gown and shoes."
Little by little, buoyed by her own determination and by support from those who love her, Angie kept getting stronger. She began making sure to walk more than ever, even waking up at 4 a.m. to complete her regimen. Always a healthy eater, she began focusing on a low-sodium diet and eating more protein.
Initially, summer seemed the best time for their wedding. But on the first Valentine's Day after Angie left the hospital, they decided that a small ceremony on Leap Day 2020 would be perfect.
"Sam thought that date would be unique, like us," Angie said. There was one more reason for choosing that date.
"By then, I was able to walk again. I left the ceremony wearing the heels I'd practiced in, and though I wasn't necessarily fast, I could walk."
As lovely as that romantic ending is, there's a postscript to this tale.
When Angie was in the hospital, friends and family flooded her and Sam with offers to bring food or flowers. Sam suggested instead that they get their own hearts checked.
In the years since, Sam said they helped nudge more than 100 people into getting checkups – and that more than a dozen found heart problems and took steps to address them.
"Everyone getting their blood pressure, cholesterol and arteries checked – that's what it's all about," Angie said. "If someone can get in front of an issue, they may be able to avoid heart disease."
