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From Comas to Commitment: Couple Who Met at Minnesota Hospital Gets Engaged Where Their Story Began

01:52 AM, 11/27/2025

Years after meeting as coma patients at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Zach Zarembinski returned to the same hospital to propose to Isabelle Richard. He had convinced her to visit by saying they would film an episode of their podcast, Hope in Healing. He guided her to the spot where they first met in 2018, dropped to one knee and revealed a floral heart backdrop; she said yes. The couple originally connected after recovering from separate traumatic head injuries and reconnected six years later when their families arranged a dinner.

Years after first meeting as patients at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, Zach Zarembinski returned to the same place to propose to Isabelle Richard — turning a remarkable recovery story into a new beginning.

Zarembinski persuaded Richard to visit the hospital by telling her they had permission to film an episode of their podcast, Hope in Healing. He led her to the exact spot where they first met in November 2018. Moments later he dropped to one knee; as he asked, "Will you marry me?", a white backdrop fell away to reveal a large heart made of flowers framing the proposal. Richard said yes.

How they first connected

The two originally crossed paths in 2018 while recovering from traumatic head injuries. Zarembinski, then 18, suffered a brain bleed and collapsed on the sideline of a football game. Richard endured a severe head injury in a car crash not long after. While Richard remained unconscious, Zarembinski comforted her family and reassured them about her recovery: "I just felt like I knew [she would be okay]. My spirit told me she's gonna be okay," he recalled.

When Richard awoke, the pair spoke briefly and took a photograph together. They subsequently lost touch for six years until their mothers arranged a dinner that brought the families together. That evening they exchanged numbers and began dating.

Looking ahead

Reflecting on their relationship, Zarembinski told a program host he was certain Richard was the one — even finding an entry in his journal documenting their first date. The proposal at Regions Hospital closed a circle for the couple, who describe their bond as born out of resilience, hope and a shared journey of recovery.

"We connected from the first moment we met. Our spirits were meant to be," Zarembinski said.

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