Boston Marathon bombing victim engaged to rehab nurse
A Massachusetts man who was seriously injured in the Boston Marathon bombings is now engaged to a nurse he met in rehab.
James "Bim" Costello, a 31-year-old from Malden, Mass., popped the question to Krista D'Agostino on Saturday in Lyon, France, during a 10-day trip to Europe with other victims and first responders.
"April 15th was one of the worst days of my life," Costello wrote on Facebook. "I soon wondered why and for what reason this had happened."
Costello was near the finish line outside the Forum restaurant on Boylston Street with friends when the second bomb went off. Three of his friends, including brothers Paul and J.P. Norden, lost limbs.
Costello, who was seen in wire photos staggering in the street following the blasts, was badly burned and suffered shrapnel wounds. (Doctors had to pull two nails from his stomach, and he required pigskin grafts on his arm and leg.) He spent several weeks at Massachusetts General Hospital before being transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, where he met D'Agostino.
"I saw a nurse in passing ... who had shared a few mutual friends, but we had never crossed paths before," he wrote. "After sharing a handful of conversations I realized not only how beautiful she was but also what a kind heart she had. I somehow convinced her to attend a benefit with me, which turned into a few dates, which turned into a few inseparable months."
He posted a photo of D'Agostino modeling the engagement ring in front of a Ferris wheel.
"I now realized why I was involved in the tragedy," Costello continued. "It was to meet my best friend, and the love of my life. Eight months later I'm happy to announce that we will spend the rest of our lives together."
