Corvette Passion and a New Heart Lead to Dream Wedding

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – “By the power vested in me and with joy in my heart, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife!”

After receiving a lifesaving heart transplant, Lon Solomita vowed to live life to the fullest – and on Saturday, he did just that as he took another unforgettable step by marrying his soulmate inside the National Corvette Museum’s iconic Skydome.

Solomita and his bride, Hannah Schmatkova, or Anya, tied the knot at 11 a.m. in the iconic Skydome of the National Corvette Museum as part of the annual Bash event, surrounded by fellow Corvette aficionados and history. To add to the celebration, the wedding ceremony was conducted by Ray Theriault, plant director at General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where Corvettes are built.

The idea started months ago when Solomita called him on a whim, asking if the plant manager would be interested in officiating. Theriault was reluctant at first, he said, until he heard Solomita’s story: a lifelong Corvette enthusiast whose life was saved by a heart transplant.

“Once I learned the specific circumstance, that the person making the request was a original founder of the Corvette Museum, a huge Corvette enthusiast, and also a heart transplant recipient who hoping to call attention to how important it is for people to sign up to become organ donors, I couldn’t say no,” Theriault said.

The couple’s deep devotion to each other was evident during the public event, which also served to raise awareness about organ donation. “More than 104,000 children and adults in the U.S. are awaiting a second chance at life through organ donation”, Theriault said during the ceremony.

“It feels amazing,” Solomita said, surrounded by fellow Corvette fans in the Skydome. “My name’s around the museums, being a donor for certain things. And I have bricks out and the wall, but this tops them, of course. “

For Theriault, being invited to officiate was about more than celebrating Corvette passion, it was a celebration of life itself.

“It’s clear to me that having this joyous day is only possible due to Lon’s second chance of life receiving a heart transplant a number of years ago,” Theriault said. “There’s so many people to thank for today, starting with Lon and Anya for having the idea, but also all of the doctors, nurses and medical team that made heart transplant possible to have Lynn actually be here today to be able to have this joyous occasion.”

The ceremony was a first for the museum. While weddings have taken place there before, never has the Corvette plant director officiated.

Solomita and Schmatkova’s love is now a unique chapter in Corvette history, one built on passion, perseverance and the power of second chances. To learn more about Lon’s Story of Hope and his heart transplant journey, visit Donate Life Connecticut.