In Suining county in southwest China’s Sichuan province, the suffering man told emergency services to wait until he had spoken to his other half. While his life ticked away and with his left leg risking amputation Kong rang his wife.
"Precious one, I have just one question which you must answer truthfully. I am hurt and may have to lose a limb," he told her.
"My question is: will you still love me with one leg?"
When his wife vowed she would love him no matter what, he said goodbye and gave the rescue personal the all-clear.
Rescuers cut Kong free from the wreckage with both legs intact.
During his recovery in hospital, Kong said: "I was doubly blessed this day. I got the love of my wife unconditionally and I have the good fortune to return to her a whole man. I am very lucky."
Love stories like this remind us how lucky we are. The next sensational newspaper report from the Leeds Mercury shows life in the Victorian era in England.
Off to the workhouse for Jack.
In January 1892, a well-dressed woman breezed up to the workhouse in Deptford, London and asked for Jack by name. When shown to his room, she fell to her knees and begged his forgiveness. He finally recognized his estranged wife, back from California. She told him what had happened. The best friend who betrayed him had made a fortune in the gold-fields. However, he had died and his wife wanted to join him again and make up for her transgressions.
But in a plot twist, she caught influenza while nursing her husband back to health. She died of pneumonia, leaving him £62,000 in her will.
I've loved two men during my lifetime. None of us are perfect—me included. I follow my father's example: 'I did the best I could at the time'. The most precious gift in life is love.