Normally I am not one who believes “everything happens for a reason." However, out of the numerous tragedies I have experienced, there is one I do believe happened for a reason. Here is my story.

When my brother Erik died in November 2009, my parents made the decision to donate his organs. Through a crazy coincidence, we wound up meeting Louie, a man who has become an essential part of my life. My brother’s death allowed Louie, who was terminally ill with cancer, to live. He had been on the transplant list for only four days. Louie received threeof my brother’s organs — pancreas, kidney and liver — making him the first individual to receive a triple organ transplant in Florida. He became famous down in Tampa.

A few months after his surgery, Louie and his partner Stan happened to be on the same party boat as my brother’s ex-girlfriend. She overheard Louie say my brother’s name and ran over to introduce herself. They talked, they cried and then she called my mom to tell her what happened. She asked if we wanted to meet him and we said, "Of course!" A few months passed and after many phone conversations, my mom flew down to Tampa to meet Louie and Stan. Because of that random encounter on the boat, Stan and Louie found their way into our lives, and they’ve continued to stay there.

My dad and I didn’t meet Louie and Stan until a year later when we had to fly down to Tampa for the sentencing of my brother’s murderer. Stan and Louie met my parents and me at the courthouse and sat with us the entire time. After the sentencing, we all went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant. I remember how shy I was around them because I was only 14 years old, and I didn’t know what to say. My dad was the same way, although his reasons for being quiet were different. He was afraid of how he would react when he saw Louie, the man who was alive because of my brother. But in the end, we were all just so thankful and grateful for each other. In a way, being with Louie and knowing a part of my brother was keeping Louie alive, made us feel closer to Erik, even though he was gone.

Throughout the years Stan, Louie, my parents and I have stayed in touch almost every day. We would occasionally Skype with them to see what they were up to, and my mom and I would travel down to Florida every once in a while to spend a few nights at their house. They had both become such a huge part of our lives that we couldn’t imagine life without them.

In December 2013, Stan and Louie came up to New York City to get married — and guess whom they asked to be their witness? That’s right, yours truly. I was ecstatic and honored because I couldn’t believe they wanted me to be there. So on Dec. 13, 2013, I went into the city and watched them get married. It was wonderful. The next day, Stan and Louie came to our house during a horrible snowstorm to see my dad, who was losing his battle with colon cancer. They stayed for dinner before heading back to their hotel for the night. They were leaving for Tampa the next morning. However, that same night, only a few hours after their visit, my dad passed away.

When I awoke the next morning and went downstairs Stan and Louie were in my kitchen, making coffee and getting breakfast ready. I couldn’t believe they’d come back. They changed their flight home so they could stay with us while the wake and funeral were arranged. Honestly, if they hadn’t come back, nothing would have been done. Stan and Louie kept both my mom and me on our feet, helping us take care of everything. To this day, I am so grateful for their presence during that horrible time.

After my dad’s death in 2013, my mom and I have visited Stan and Louie numerous times. For winter break in 2014, we flew down to Florida to spend three weeks with them. We even have our own dedicated “bedrooms” in their house. Then I saw them on my own when I traveled down to Orlando to visit Universal Studios. Stan and Louie met me at my hotel and took me to Sea World (which was amazing) and then spent the night before taking me to breakfast. Although I only saw them for a day and a half, it was the best part of my vacation. I’ll actually be seeing them again next week when I join my aunt at her timeshare in Fort Lauderdale. The fact that Stan and Louie are willing to always make time to see my family has and continues to amaze me.

Stan and Louie are my family. I always tell people that, yes, I may have lost my brother and my dad, but I gained Stan and Louie. Obviously no one will ever replace my brother and dad, but Stan and Louie managed to fill the gaping holes left in my heart. Louie has an enormous heart, a charming personality and the brightest smile that always attracts people to him — he’s always funny and goofy and kind, just like Erik was. Stan is exactly the same — he loves making people smile and laugh and feel loved. They are two of the most loyal and loving people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. They will literally drop anything without hesitation to be there for us, for their friends and family who are in need. They are always positive and joyful, even when they’re bickering and telling each other to “sit back and take a nap." They know how to brighten my day with a single emoji or GIF. But most of all, Stan and Louie know how to keep my mom and me smiling. Whether they’re taking us to our very first drag queen show at Hamburger Mary’s or telling us horror stories about work, there is never a dull moment with them. And I love it. I love Stan and Louie. I love them more than anyone will ever know. And lastly, I’m the luckiest person in the universe because I know they both love me too.