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Bride left 'heartbroken' after dad refuses father-daughter dance, someone special steps up

The bride had anticipated the moment all her life but her father refused.

Bride left 'heartbroken' after dad refuses father-daughter dance, someone special steps up
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Alexander Mass

Parents play a crucial role during the wedding ceremony for both the bride and groom. Each partner’s parents have duties they eagerly anticipate. For the bride and her parents, these moments can be especially symbolic. Walking the bride down the aisle, giving her away, and sharing the first dance are cherished wedding traditions. Jess Anastasi (@jessanastasi_) shared a post expressing her excitement for these moments on her wedding day.

Representative Image Source: Pexels| Rayhan Firmansyah
Representative Image Source: Pexels | Rayhan Firmansyah

The woman mentioned that the first dance with her father on her wedding day was a dream she anticipated. She wrote, “I waited my whole life and was so excited to dance with my dad.” The video captured Anastasi slow-dancing with an elderly man but it was not her father. Sadly, the bride mentioned that her father refused to have the father-daughter dance with her on her big day and it was a shattering experience. “Little did I know that my dad would refuse to dance with me. I was so heartbroken,” she mentioned. As she continued to dance with the elderly man, Anastasi revealed that it was her father-in-law who gladly obliged. “My father-in-law stepped in without a second thought,” she wrote. 

Representative Image Source: Pexels| Ketut Subiyanto
Representative Image Source: Pexels | Ketut Subiyanto

The duo were engaged in an emotional and adorable dance, almost as if it was meant to be from the very beginning. Their comfort and gentleness with each other made it seem like they weren’t in-laws but father-daughter indeed. Anastasi also shared stills of her dancing with her father-in-law and each revealed how responsibly and caringly the man stepped up for his new daughter. “I am so grateful to be married into such an amazing family,” the bride wrote. In her caption, she added how she created a core memory that she treasures in the present. She exclaimed, “Still a thought I think about regularly.” 

Several women commented about what a wonderful family Anastasi had married into and how relevant it was from the kind gesture. @54321edcba3 wrote, “I don’t know why your father refused at such a moment but it sounds like you married good people.” @stephk997 added, “Definitely your father's loss. So glad you have an amazing father-in-law.” Several others shared their stories of how their dad’s refused too but something wonderful came through anyway just like it did for Anastasi. @melzz207 recalled, “My dad didn’t want to. After 30 seconds he asked whether we had to do the entire song. I chose my girl, let go and walked away.” 

Image Source: TikTok| @witchyvixiepixie
Image Source: TikTok | @witchyvixiepixie
Image Source: TikTok| @painfully.awkward
Image Source: TikTok | @painfully.awkward

@lawandricelife added, “Here I was refusing to even make time for a father-daughter dance, lest the guests get the idea that he was ever a good father.” @chelly_mcjelly added, “My dad didn’t show up but all the men in my family tapped shoulders to dance with me.” @american_mutt added, “Your father-in-law isn’t just filling in a role, he’s filling in a void and that’s such a blessing. You got a husband and a bonus dad on the same day!”

You can follow Jess Anastasi (@mrsanastasi_) on TikTok for more wholesome content.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on July 22, 2024. It has since been updated.

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