Woman whose first breath brought joy to millions will say 'I do' on national television

Jennifer Jones will marry her fiancé Rob Ronnenberg on live television on February 26 as part of a Lifetime series featuring “inspirational couples whose remarkable stories of love and survival redefine real love.”

The Byron couple were among eight chosen from across the country for the series, which will be hosted by wedding planner David Tutera. Lifetime says Tutera will work with each couple to plan the wedding of their dreams. The ceremonies will then be broadcast live for a national audience.

Jones, who had been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, became a worldwide sensation after a 2017 video began circulating around the web of her taking her first unobstructed breath following a lung transplant at Mayo Clinic.

“For Jennifer and I being contacted and then chosen to be given our dream wedding is an absolute honor we couldn't have imagined being possible. It is even more special as we get to share our cause for cystic fibrosis awareness on a grand scale since the disease is such a part of our lives,” Ronnenberg told Med City Beat. “Without a woman named Lacey, whom we'll never get to meet, Jennifer would not be here today and to her and her family we owe them everything. As Jennifer says, this is her miracle but it is Lacey's legacy and we'll do everything we can to honor her gift.”

Ronnenberg, who captured the video of Jones taking her first breath, said it took about five months after the transplant before there were no signs of rejection. Since that time, he said his future wife is back to enjoying life.

“With transplant there are always worries and it has changed our lives, but the minor impacts are nothing compared to the opportunity to really live,” said Ronnenberg. “We literally owe Jennifer's life to people who support organ donation and their family.”

Cover photo: Submitted by couple