Young couples often dream of building a life together full of growth and treasured memories. But life can throw unforeseen challenges that put their relationship to the test.
One Saturday morning in May 2007, Ryan Finley woke up to what seemed like any ordinary day. Noticing the time, he decided to wake his wife, Jill—a rare thing on weekends.
When calling her name and gently shaking her brought no response, Ryan’s worry quickly turned to panic. He called emergency services and began CPR.
Paramedics arrived quickly and rushed Jill to the hospital, with Ryan following behind.
Doctors diagnosed Jill with cardiac arrest. While medical staff fought to save her, Ryan waited anxiously outside. When a doctor finally came out, he told Ryan to start praying—an indication of how grave things were.
Jill had fallen into a coma. It was hard for Ryan to accept that his vibrant 31-year-old wife was fighting for her life.
Over the next two weeks, family and friends visited. Jill’s cousin read from the Bible to her for over an hour and gave Ryan the book, encouraging him to read aloud to her every day, hoping she would wake.
After 11 days, Ryan faced a heart-wrenching decision. Doctors said Jill’s chances were slim and suggested removing life support. Despite his heartbreak, Ryan agreed, setting the procedure for the next day.
On the 14th day, Jill was taken off life support.
About five hours later, she began to stir and speak softly. Ryan, overwhelmed, stepped away, expecting the worst. But a nurse soon called him back: Jill was talking.
Her first words stunned him: “Get me out of here. I want to go home.”
To confirm her awareness, Ryan asked questions only Jill could answer—about their pets, simple math, and even a craving for food from her favorite Mexican restaurant. She responded perfectly.
Jill later said she had no memory of the coma, only a feeling of being away and then coming back. When asked what he believed brought her back, Ryan answered firmly, “God. Divine intervention. I truly believe that.”
Jill’s healing wasn’t immediate. She had to relearn basic tasks like brushing her teeth and tying shoelaces. But both saw it as a new beginning—not just for her life, but for their marriage.
Jill believes Ryan made the right call in removing life support, as she wouldn’t want to live in a diminished state. Ryan, however, still wakes up at night to check on her. “I usually nudge her, and if she nudges me back, I know we’re okay,” he shared.
Sometimes life surprises us with a second chance when we least expect it. Ryan and Jill Finley’s story is one of hope and resilience.
Please share this remarkable story to inspire others.