After months of waiting, Josh Collard met the family of Chris Deaver for the first time Saturday. In 2008, doctors told Collard he wouldn't live much longer without a heart transplant. Josh went into cardiac arrest while waiting on a transplant. Shortly thereafter Collard received the heart of 21-year-old Wayne, Oklahoma resident Chris Deaver. The baseball and football all-star died after being injured in a head-on collision in April 2008. The accident reportedly happened after the driver of another vehicle fell asleep at the wheel. Collard said he was thankful for the gift of life, and shares his journey with his 6-year-old son.

"Daddy got sick and needed a new heart. I explain to him that the heart came from somebody," said Collard.

The Deaver family traveled five hours from Wayne, Oklahoma to Madisonville Saturday. The Deaver family had only spoken with the Collard's by phone, and were equally excited to meet Joshua for the first time.

"It's great. It's great knowing that it's helped somebody," said Cathryn Deaver, mother of Chris Deaver.

The Deaver family spread photo's of Chris in his baseball uniform on a table next to photo's of Josh during his time at the hospital. A paper heart with Deaver and Collard's names written on it was placed above the tables. Two bandages held the decorative heart together. The Deaver family said at the very least, they wanted to honor their son's wish to give life.

"It was his choice, it was on his license and we stood behind it, it's something he wanted to do," said Cathryn Deaver.

After the families met, Collard said he felt relieved. Collard also said he felt blessed knowing a piece of Deaver could live on within him.

"Having a piece of that family, carrying it with me wherever I go, however long I go. I feel like that's a part of my family too," said Collard.