Every bride wants to feel like a princess on her wedding day, but few will actually be mistaken for a real-life Disney character.
Cal and Olivia Spark had just gotten married in Akron, New York, and were posing for photographs in nearby Akron Falls Park when something truly magical happened. A little girl named Layla Lester, who is 5 years old, spotted the bride in her beautiful white dress and thought she looked familiar.
Nicole Wickins Photography
Running towards Olivia with her arms wide open, Layla called out, “Cinderella! Cinderella!” Unfazed, Olivia reached down and grasped Layla’s hands in her own, looking into her little face and smiling as if she was indeed channeling the perpetually kind Cinderella.
Layla’s mom, Jessica Lester, said that she was shocked to see her daughter run up to and interact with strangers in the park. The little girl has autism and doesn’t particularly enjoy talking with people she doesn’t know, but since she ‘knew’ Cinderella, she had no qualms about running up for a hug.
Nicole Wickins Photography
Olivia played along with Layla, speaking to her for several minutes before telling the child, “We’re going to go to the ball now!” and taking her leave.
Jessica was left incredibly impressed with the grace and kindness exhibited by the bride, stating, “She is the epitome of what a real-life princess would be. She’s kind and she’s sweet and she went out of her way to be nice to Layla.”
Nicole Wickins Photography
“She was just so sweet with her and just kept talking to her and asking her questions. Layla loved her and she fell in love so fast,” Jessica added.
This adorable case of mistaken identity was captured by Olivia’s wedding photographer, Nicole Wickins. Nicole was so touched by the sweet moment that she shared a quick video on her Facebook page, and soon the clip went viral. Once the Spark and Lester families were reunited on social media, Nicole joined them once again for a very special photo shoot back in the park.
Nicole Wickins Photography
Even though “Cinderella” wore “regular clothes” instead of her ball gown, Layla was pretty impressed with the pumpkin stagecoach she arrived in!
Nicole thoroughly enjoyed both meetings with Layla, writing in a follow-up Facebook post, “I have been doing photography professionally since 2012, and no moment has EVER compared to this one. It was a blessing to be a part of.”
Nicole Wickins Photography
What a sweet, magical moment! We’re so happy that Olivia thought on her feet so quickly. Her kindness to this child is a shining example of what can happen when we allow a little bit of magic into our lives.
Watch “Cinderella” greeting her biggest fan in the clip below, and don’t forget to share this adorable story!
Share your story & inspire the world.
If you have an uplifting story we would love to hear about it! Share it with us here.
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.