In 2018, Joe DiMeo’s life would change forever, when the 26-year-old fell asleep at the wheel of his car while driving home from a night shift at work.
His car then collided with a curb and burst into flames after flipping over. DiMeo was rescued from the wreck by onlookers but suffered severe burns to 80 percent of his body.
Two years after the crash DiMeo would undergo a gruelling surgery which lasted 23 hours and involved more than 140 doctors, becoming the first person in the world to receive a successful face and double hand transplant.
Nearly five years on from the surgery and DiMeo has since focused on rebuilding his life, building a large following online as well as finding love with 34-year-old nurse Jessica Koby.
The couple have now officially become husband and wife, with DiMeo revealing the heartwarming on update via a string of images captured from their waterfront Hawaii ceremony on Instagram.
“Entered the married life,” he captured the post.
DiMeo’s followers were delighted by the news and shared their well-wishes to the couple in the comments. “Such a beautiful love story. Many blessings to both of you! Cheers to a lifetime of happiness,” one user commented.
“Some beautiful news for a change. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness and an overflow of dogs,” a second wrote, while a third added: “Such a beautiful love story. Many blessings to both of you! Cheers to a lifetime of happiness.”
DiMeo has also shared footage from their intimate ceremony on his YouTube channel.
The couple opted for a Hawaiian ceremony, which included exchanging leis, hula dancing and the officiant blowing the traditional pū instrument.
Speaking about their wedding in a recent interview with PEOPLE, Koby revealed they had tied the knot in December.
“We wanted a sunset wedding so that the sun wasn’t too much on Joe,” she explained. “It was really pretty. Like a nice breeze, [and] it’s just him and I.”
Romance blossomed between the couple after Koby came across DiMeo’s story online and was inspired by his strength and resilience.
Koby and DiMeo met when she learnt of his story online (Instagram/@jessicandimeo)
The pair swiftly bonded over a shared love of dogs before Koby moved across the country in order to be closer to him.
Speaking about the decision to share their life online, Koby added that the couple aim to spread hope with their platform.
“There’s a lot of different aspects to it: Joe motivating people to continue [despite] their health issues,” she said.
“Then on the flip side, us as a couple motivating people that might have a disability or look different that you can still find someone.”
