Jacob is one of those kids who just has the ability to see the humor and the upside of any situation, including his own. This bright, easygoing 17-year-old was born with a heart defect that caused the need for three open-heart surgeries before he turned two. And then, last year, doctors discovered another problem – protein-losing enteropathy, which caused a rapid decline in Jacob's health and the eventual need for a heart transplant in December 2004. During Jacob's extensive recovery he became a huge fan of the Food Network and in particular Food Network chef celeb Paula Deen. So when Jacob was granted a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, it came as no surprise to his parents that his wish was to meet Paula. And Paula not only agreed to meet Jacob, but she invited the family out to her house in Savannah to have Jacob help her prepare one of her signature meals! Needless to say, Jacob was thrilled and jumped at the opportunity to watch the master chef cooking in her home kitchen. Paula opened her house and kitchen to Jacob and his parents and treated everyone to some wonderful stories and a pretty darn good home cooked meal! Jacob and his family also visited Tybee Island, where Jacob enjoyed a tour of the Tybee Island lighthouse and tested his new heart by climbing all 178 steps to the top! This trip was a chance for Jacob to celebrate his long rehabilitation by meeting one of his TV heroes. It was also a chance for his parents to see a little bit of the old Jacob again.

From Jacob's Mom: "Following his surgery there was a period of time where Jacob became very withdrawn and reclusive. This was a disturbing change in personality. Through the experience with Make-A-Wish, Jacob began to come back out of that shell and interact with people again."

Special thanks to grace 17:20 for sponsoring Jacob's wish to meet Paula Deen.