Unbeknownst to him, a boy becomes friends with a transplant recipient with his father's heart.

At just 3 years old, Vincent Stiltner, a resident of Virginia , developed a genuine friendship with 37-year-old Dom Wilson, unaware that the man carries something special in his chest: the transplanted heart of the child's biological father. Patriarch Christopher Stiltner died in a car accident in March 2022.

In an interview with the international portal SWNS, Candra Stiltner, Vincent's mother, says that her son naturally bonded with Dom, with whom she has also developed a bond since the transplant. The affinity between them is clear: in a video circulating on social media, the two appear playing together in a playground, laughing and having fun like great friends. Watch the video .

"My heart healed a little when I saw them running together in the park. They have a very strong connection. It feels like Vincent has known him forever," Candra said.

Vincent's father, Christopher, had registered as an organ donor while he was still alive . After his death, the family's decision to follow his wishes brought some comfort. "He always loved helping people, and this was his last opportunity to do so," his wife recalled.

Candra's older daughters already understand that Dom lives with their father's heart. Vincent, on the other hand, is still too young to grasp this connection. "Maybe that's why this friendship is so pure and special. It means a lot to all of us," concludes the boy's mother.