CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - (ANS)- When Nate Lytle faced a life-or-death struggle after suffering a traumatic brain injury, he touched people's lives without even knowing it.

On June 3 2007, right after competing in his first surfing contest, Lytle said on his web site that surfing may have become a distraction in hearing from God. As he drove home that night, Lytle made a commitment to God that he wouldn't surf for a whole year.

The next day, his web site said, Lytle fell from the top of a ten foot ladder, shattering his skull and leaving him with a severe brain injury. He was not expected to live, and even if he did survive, the doctors said he would never walk, talk, or communicate again. As word spread about Lytle's condition while in a coma, his surfing buddies urged one another on with the phrase "Pray for Nate."

According to a news release, after waking from his coma to a supportive group of family and friends, he made it his goal to inspire and help others get the most out of life, even in the bleakest of moments.

From his surfing friends urging his recovery through online forums to his church members and nurses passing along prayers in the hallways, Lytle's struggle became a inspiration to everyone he met.

The news release said he especially inspired the woman who would become his wife, Brianna, who from the moment she heard about Lytle's condition felt a strong connection to him.

Brianna said in the news release, "I was so excited when I heard he had awakened from his coma. My first thought was that I had to meet him; I had to be able to tell him how he had touched my life. Mind you, this was all so strange to me, knowing that here he was, someone my age, fighting for his life, facing probably the hardest thing he will ever have to go through. On top of that I was his nurse for a short while, and he brought up all these emotions in me and motivated me to want to really find Jesus."

"Mom, I think she was an a-a-a-a-angel. My a-a-a-angel," Lytle said in the news release, still struggling with his speech. Although he couldn't remember her name or where she had come from, he knew he had seen someone in his dream-like state with "dark hair, bright eyes, pretty teeth and a warm spirit."

After he was released, the news release reported, the two were formally introduced at his benefit party. There was an instant connection. Brianna continued to care for Lytle as he recovered, becoming more involved in his life. Lytle not only found a new appreciation for life and his relationship with God, but also someone special with whom he could share his thoughts.