A woman who was stabbed almost to death by her ex-boyfriend is now getting married to the emergency responder who saved her life.

Melissa Dohme, 25, from Florida, was stabbed 32 times by her ex after she broke up with him - 19 of which were to her face and head.

After spending several days in intensive care with a broken skull and jaw, a fractured head and nose, a severed facial nerve which left her with paralysis on the right side of her face, she somehow miraculously survived.

She describes her high school boyfriend, Robert Burton, as "charming and funny" when she first met him. However, as soon as she started applying to universities to study to become a nurse, he became very jealous and belittled her achievements.

Speaking to Closer, she said: "When we began dating it was your typical high school relationship. He was kind and funny. I was 17.

"But there was a significant shift in Robert and our relationship when I began applying to colleges and preparing for high school graduation. He became extremely jealous of me and didn't want me to succeed ahead of him or do things without him.

"He would show his temper... that was easily set off. He would yell, punch things like the door or dashboard. He began to put me down and call me names."

When she tried to break up with him, he threatened to kill himself: "He said if I broke up with him, he would kill himself and said things like 'As his girlfriend I should be helping him, not abandoning him.'

"I didn't like the behavior, but I also didn't want him to kill himself... so I agreed to try and get him help. The cycle continued, and over time the abusive became physical. He then told me if I was to tell anyone he would threaten to kill me, my mom and family."

He became physically abusive, severely beating her and spending time in jail for domestic battery, after which they didn't speak for two months.

But she received a call from him at 2am in January 2012, asking to meet one last time to put the relationship behind them. It was then that he pulled her in for a hug, got his knife out - and stabbed her 32 times.

Melissa described the attack to the BBC: "He left me lying in the road and I thought I was going to die. I just prayed to God to save me and give me a chance.

"I later learned from the trauma surgeons that I died on the table several times and they had to resuscitate me over and over."

After going through many surgical procedures to fix her muscles and nerves, Melissa was finally able to smile again. After giving a speech in October 2012, Melissa met the emergency team who saved her life - and one person stood out in particular.

"Afterwards I couldn't stop thinking about Cameron. I knew that I had feelings for him but I was trying to ignore them. I wondered, 'Am I feeling this way because he was one of the firemen who helped me?' But the more we talked the more we realised we had in common.

"I knew I had to see him again so a week later I contacted him and said I had a thank you card for the team. I gave them the card, but Cameron and I ended up talking for six hours. It felt like we could talk forever.

"I knew there was something special between us and we couldn't ignore the connection! I believe it was fate that brought us together."

In May 2015, Melissa was attended a Tampa Bay Rays baseball game to throw the first pitch: "I was on the mound and there wasn't a baseball there so Cameron came out of the dugout to hand me one.

"Written on the ball were the words: 'Will you marry me?' It was the most surprising moment of my whole life.

"When he got down on one knee, everything hit me at once that this was his engagement plan and I was completely clueless. It was amazing to know he loved me so much to ask me in such an amazing way in front of everyone. I was elated and totally in love.

"I couldn't speak for a moment as I couldn't find the words. I felt very blessed and over the moon."

Their wedding plans are now underway, and they plan to marry in March this year.

But Melissa has some words of advice to anyone who thinks they might be in danger in their relationship: "I beg everyone to to educate themselves on the dangers of domestic violence and learn the reg flags of abuse.

"If something doesn't feel right with your partner, listen to your intuition and safely end the relationship. If you are currently being abused, I urge you to break the silence and reach out to your local domestic violence center for assistance. You need to create a safety plan and never meet up with your abusive partner after ending the relationship. It is the most dangerous time.

"Everyone deserves a healthy, nonviolent, and safe relationship. I promise you there is life after abuse, but you must first love yourself before you can be loved by someone else. You should be with someone who supports you, respects you, listens, and makes you feel safe. Love should never hurt. Love is not threatening, abusive, fearful, or intimidating. I encourage you to share your story and never settle for less than you deserve."

There are many charities that can help you if you are suffering from abuse. Charity Refuge have a 24/7 helpline that you can ring: 0808 2000 247, and an email address: helpline@refuge.org.uk.

Have you or a loved one ever been affected by domestic abuse? Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter.

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