An invitation to speak to a fellow patient after her surgery led Christine Paul, 44, to find love at the North Shore University Hospital, New York.
Even before her unlikely meeting, Christine Paul had been given a second chance at life. In 2018, she had a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implanted, and at 37, she questioned how she would ever find love.
She told People, “When you’re sick, you imagine, ‘I’m going to find someone; they’re going to fall in love with me — and then they might end up losing me — or they might end up my caretaker.’ And who’s going to want that?”
The LVAD served as a temporary remedy to her heart problems. The Queens graduate student had been aware since she was 29 that she would soon require a heart transplant because she had genetic cardiomyopathy.
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She underwent the operation at North Shore University Hospital in May 2021. However, after suffering from pneumonia, Christine Paul ended up returning to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) in February 2022 with an infection.
During her rehabilitation at the facility, a nurse asked if she would converse with another patient—a request she gladly accepted because she frequently fraternized with other patients to encourage them.
There, on Valentine’s Day, she met 42-year-old plumber Kendell Paul, who was receiving his own LVAD device. She recalled that the first thing she noticed was his height, which matched her own. He stands 6’3″ and she is 6’1″.
She discovered more about Kendell Paul’s story. He had realized he was getting short of breath while ascending stairs. He initially believed he had COVID, but he quickly discovered that his symptoms were actually caused by an enlarged heart — he was in heart failure.
He told Christine Paul he was concerned about obtaining his LVAD. After talking for a while, they found out that they both have two boys and that their youngest sons are named Noah. They exchanged phone numbers but were in different relationships. After they were discharged, they would often send messages or call each other to offer support.
They were single by November of that year, and on December 2, 2022, they went out to dinner at Kendell Paul’s suggestion.
Christine Paul said, “We’ve been inseparable ever since. Everything just fit.”
They eventually discovered that Kendell Paul was born in Trinidad; Christine Paul’s mother was also born there. They enjoy traveling and have been to places like Houston, New Orleans, Atlantic City, and Trinidad and Tobago. They also enjoy playing trivia games and competing with one another about the capitals of different states.
They also got more involved in one another’s lives. Christine Paul took him to work; they divided expenses and went to doctor’s appointments together (Kendell may eventually require a heart transplant). After that, they moved in together.
Kendell Paul said that he values Christine Paul’s intelligence and personality. He said, “She’s the yin to my yang. She rarely puts stuff off until tomorrow—like I tend to do. It helps to have someone like that. She’s very caring. She’s very thoughtful.”
The two saw no issue getting married after realizing how well they matched, and they were married on December 8, 2024.
Christine Paul recounted, “It was such a beautiful day.”
“What I’ll remember the most was when we said our vow: ‘In sickness and in health.’ What two people understand what that means [more than we do]?”
While either one of them could get sick, Kendell Paul said it can happen to any couple, in any relationship. “So, if it feels right, do it. Don’t be scared.”
Their story inspires employees at North Shore University Hospital.
“We just couldn’t be happier for them,” said their advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist, Dr. Lauren B. Cooper, Director of Heart Failure, Northwell Health North Shore University Hospital.
She added, “Not many people get LVADS and not many people get transplants—and so for them to have found support in each other and now live this life together is really inspiring.”
Currently, Kendell Paul’s health has made it difficult for him to do his plumbing duties. He returned to school and earned certification as an EKG technician and phlebotomist. He currently works as a patient care tech at a rehabilitation center. Christine Paul is an organ donation advocate and organ donation counselor for the non-profit organization LiveOnNY.
