A Mother Hears Her Son's Heart Beating For The First Time In 18 Years

February 16, 2015

56 year-old Vicki Brannon got to hear her son's heart beat for the first time in 18 years this weekend at Tampa International Airport.

woman hears sons heart beat
Credit: Tim Boyles

31 year-old Jennifer Lentini was shaking as she embraced the woman whose son gave her a second chance at life. Lentini suffered from heart muscle disease and received 14 year-old Matthew Brannon's heart after he passed away from an accidental gun shot wound in 1996.

The successful transplant saved her life.

mom hears sons heart beat again
Credit: Tim Boyles

The two women wept and held hands after they hugged near the airport's baggage claim.

"I finally get to say thank you," Lentini said while embracing Brannon.

Brannon was overcome with emotion.

"I'm overwhelmed, I'm happy. My son had a good, strong heart and it has kept her alive."

Source: NY Daily News. Additional info: Matthew was killed when a friend took a handgun from an unlocked cabinet and it accidentally went off.