Heather Duquette thought her Dad would never be able to walk her down the aisle. Ralph, a leukemia survivor, has been wheelchair-bound since a round of chemo left him with severe nerve damage in 2013.
But Ralph had a surprise in store for the radiant bride.
He worked secretly for months with a physical the therapist to build the strength he needed to walk is beloved daughter down the aisle. With a little help, he shakily stood and slowly walked towards Heather, every step an incredible feat of determination.
“I was overwhelmed with emotion. I was shocked and surprised. I never, ever, imagined that my father would have the strength and courage to stand and try to walk in front of such a large crowd.”
With shuffling steps the pair walked on while Heather sobbed the whole time.
“He worked so hard to keep it a secret from everyone. My family, my new husband, my mother, no one knew. I kept thinking, ‘this isn’t happening, this is a miracle,’ and when I looked ahead to the altar, I could see my future husband in tears,” she said.
At one point, Ralph began to stumble, but his family was right there to catch him. “When he stumbled, I almost threw myself underneath him to catch him,” she said. “I have never been so scared in my life … but I held on and made sure he wouldn’t fall.”
At the altar, Ralph officiated the wedding ceremony. Heather had one final thought to share with anyone who sees the video below. “For those who don’t have their dads with them anymore, I hope this video helps them to remember how much our fathers love us,” she said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC0aHXdAImA
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.
