Every moment of every day, University of Hawai'i football player Keala Watson enjoys being part of a special team.

"She's the love of my life," Watson said of the former Leona Wright, his high school sweetheart and his wife of two weeks.

They met as Nanakuli High juniors in the fall of 2002 after Keala moved from Kaua'i.

Even then, Leona remembered, "I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him."

Their affection was strengthened by their Christian faith and the perseverance over tragedy.

It was during their senior year in January 2004 when Leona's 40-year-old mother, Elizabeth Kanani Mathewson, died in a car accident.

Two months later, Leona's father, Renold Wright, 45, suffered a fatal heart attack.

"They passed away so close together," Keala said. "It was devastating."

Leona also was caring for her grandmother, who died shortly after that.

"Believing in Jesus Christ as my personal savior, that's the only thing that helped me get through all of the tragedies," Leona said.

Leona accepted Keala's parents' invitation to move into their family home in Nanakuli.

"She needed somebody, and we were there," Keala said. "My parents were really cool about it. They took on the mother and father role."

Leona, with her eyes moistening, recalled the Watsons' kindness.

"His family was there for me when my parents passed away," Leona said. "His parents are practically mom and dad to me. They fill in those roles. I praise the Lord for blessing them, and bringing them into my life."

Leona also has been supportive of Keala, attending every UH home practice — in the rain or sweltering training-camp heat.

She was at his side when he was diagnosed with Von Willebrand disorder, a condition similar to hemophilia in which a chemical deficiency does not allow his blood to clot normally. He redshirted as a UH freshman in 2004 because of the condition.

And she has watched as he has ascended the depth chart. Keala is now in the starting rotation at defensive tackle.

"He's doing a really good job," defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said.

While Keala is living up to his promise on the football field, he wanted to keep a promise he made 3 1/2 years ago when he took a knee and proposed to Leona.

"She was crying," Keala said. "She cried for five minutes. I was like, 'is that yes or no?' She said, 'yes.' "

They acknowledged they were too young. But Leona decided to attend the church where Keala worshiped.

"We wanted to grow together in the Lord," she said.

During the summer, Leona said, "we wanted to make it right already." They had planned to marry before the start of training camp in August.

But the wedding was delayed while Keala sought answers about his medical coverage. He feared the cost of his blood-clotting medicine would soar if he left his father's medical-insurance plan. He carries a nasal-spray bottle containing medicine he must take before every game. Each 12-dose bottle costs about $900.

When it was learned the insurance he paid through the school would cover the medicine, the wedding was set for one of the bye weeks.

They chose a simple service at Leona's uncle's house in Nanakuli.

"It's a beach-front property," she said. "It extends over the reef in Nanakuli. It was the right place. We met in Nanakuli. My parents are both scattered out there."

Keala, a fourth-year junior, and Leona are on track to earn their bachelor's degrees in May 2009. Keala, who has a 3.6 cumulative grade-point average, is majoring in environmental studies. Leona, who is studying to be a speech pathologist, has a 3.8 GPA.

"We both want to continue to go to school and get our masters," Leona said. "We really like going to school at UH."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.