LOVE STORIES: Victim of attempted murder, first responder fall in love

TAMPA (FOX 13) - It's not the way most love stories begin.

"Four years ago, I survived an attempted murder case at the hands of my ex-boyfriend. I was stabbed 32 times," said Melissa Dohme.

But in order to tell Melissa and Cameron's tale, we have to start at the beginning -- the night of a horrific attack.

"I remember there were tons of police officers, ambulance, and fire rescue. Everyone was there all at once," explained Melissa.

One of those first responders was Cameron, a firefighter called to the scene to help save Melissa.

"I think it's fate. He doesn't know what it's called. But it's fate," Melissa continued.

And it's fate that reunited them 10 months later, when Melissa shared her story for the first time and Cameron was in the crowd.

"I was just overwhelmed with joy and feeling so blessed to meet them and say thank you," said Melissa.

"I was just in awe of how far she'd come," said Cameron Hill.

So he invited her to the firehouse for dinner with the rest of the crew.

"I was extremely giddy because I was having dinner with all the men who saved my life," Melissa recalled.

And the more they talked, the more she realized she was falling for her hero.

"The more I learned about Cameron, the more I realized that we have so much in common. And this feeling that I was feeling was not just because he was someone who had saved me," said Melissa. "I really had feelings for this man."

VIDEO: Watch Jennifer Epstein's full report on this love story

And they've been together ever since. Cameron stayed by her side through the countless surgeries and speech and physical therapy appointments. He even held her hand in court when the man who attacked her was sentenced to life in prison with no parole.

"He's been by my side through it all, helping me, loving me," said Melissa.

Cameron knew it wouldn't be easy; but that's what you do when you're in love.

"I knew there was gonna be some hard times, but that's with any relationship," he said.

After a few short months of dating, Cameron knew that Melissa was the one. He popped question in front of a stadium of people and on the pitcher's mound at the Tampa Bay Rays game.

"He was down on one knee; he opened the box and asked me to marry him," said Melissa.

Now they are counting down the days until their wedding, and they can hardly believe that a tragedy could end so beautifully.

"I had to go through all this stuff that led me to find him. I wouldn't want to go through what I went through again, but I also wouldn't change it because it led me to Cameron," Melissa added.

They plan on saying their "I do's" on March 4, 2017.