Bride walked down the aisle by man who received her father’s heart
A bride has been walked down the aisle by a man with her father’s heart, in a beautiful moment that brought tears to the eyes of everyone at the wedding ceremony.
The wedding of Jeni Stepien, 33, to Paul Maenner, 34, was made all the more memorable by the presence of Arthur Thomas, a father of four who received a heart transplant from Jeni’s father, whose organs were donated after he passed.
The bride-to-be wrote to Mr Thomas, asking him to walk her down the aisle on the big day, in the absence of her father, and he was more than happy to acquiesce.
"I was thinking, 'Oh, my gosh, it would be so incredible to have a physical piece of my father there'," she told the NYT.
Mr Thomas wholeheartedly agreed and made it down to Pennsylvania for the big day.
"I felt wonderful about bringing her dad’s heart to Pittsburgh," Tom told the publication, adding: "If I had to, I would’ve walked."
Arthur Thomas and the family had stayed in touch via phone calls, emails and letter, but they had never met until a day before the wedding.
The heart-warming moment was posted by wedding photographer Lauren Demby on social meida.
"This moment...everything."
"This moment right here. This was everything. It brought tears to everyone's eyes. When Jeni was walked down the isle to marry the man of her dreams, she was given away by the man who has her father's heart.
"I am just so thankful to Jeni Steps and Paul for having me here to capture this amazing moment. It is truly an honour and something I will never forget!"
What a lovely gesture. What’s your favourite memory from a wedding?