Bride Surprises Her Dying Father Dressed as a Bride So He Can Walk Her Down the Aisle

A father was on his deathbed while his daughter prepared for significant milestones in her life. He desperately wanted to be a part of the big moments, but sickness held him back—until his child found a way to include him.

Losing a parent is one of the deepest sorrows someone will ever know, and their absence is felt all the more during the significant moments in life. They say a parent's love is always with their child, but nothing compares to their physical presence.

One woman moved heaven and earth to make sure her dying dad lived to walk her down the aisle—his emotional reaction will leave you sobbing and encourage you to hug your loved ones a little tighter.

IT WOULDN'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT HIM

Vieneese Stanton was in the prime of her life with a baby on the way and a wedding around the corner. Her dreams were coming true, but there was one thing she worried about—her father.

He was critically ill, and Vieneese knew the memorable life moments wouldn't be the same without him. Preston Rolan raised her since she was three years old, and he was there for her whenever she needed him.

THE SHATTERING DIAGNOSIS

Rolan was diagnosed with acute leukemia, and he spent months going in and out of the hospital, facing chemotherapy and other treatments. Sadly, he wasn't getting better, and doctors feared the worst.

Vieneese shared that doctors believed he would not be able to breathe in the coming weeks, and thus they gave him a limited life expectancy.

HE WAS EXCITED ABOUT THEIR ENGAGEMENT

Rolan was thrilled when he learned that Douglas Stanton had proposed to his daughter. The father meant the world to them, and the couple was devastated at the thought of him missing their wedding.

Vieneese stated:

"[We] really wanted my dad to be a part of [the wedding]. Then to find out he wouldn’t make it to our original wedding day was sad for us."

THEY CHANGED THEIR PLANS

Vieneese and Douglas originally envisioned a big wedding with all the trimmings in 2018, but they quickly adapted their expectations. If they wanted Rolan to be present, they needed to change their plans drastically.

In 2017, the couple and Rolan's nurses set up a surprise wedding in the hospital where he was staying. Vieneese said:

"The nurse team kept the wedding a secret from my Dad, so this whole day was a surprise to him. It was such a beautiful day."

THE BEST DAY OF HER LIFE

While it wasn't the big wedding she dreamed of, Vieneese revealed that the special event, which took place at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, was the best day of her life.

Experiencing the big day with her dad at her side was all Vieneese ever wanted. She expressed:

"We have both dreamed of him walking me down the aisle to my groom— and that moment finally happened. This was truly the best day of my life! Dad, I love you more than you know."

THE NURSES PULLED OUT ALL THE STOPS

Vieneese sang the nurses' praises because they went the extra mile for the wedding. She shared that they decorated the hospital, bought cake and food, hired a professional photographer, and arranged a suit for Rolan.

Rolan also had no idea that he would have a chance to walk his daughter down the aisle, so the surprise was overwhelming. Vieneese shared that her dad was stunned and on the verge of tears.

THE FATHER'S EMOTIONAL REACTION

Vieneese added: "He was bragging. He was telling all the nurses, 'This is my daughter. This is my daughter!'" Thanks to the help of the hospital staff, Rolan was able to walk Vieneese down the aisle and share in the once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Speaking about the wedding, Vieneese recalled that she smiled the whole day and got a big surprise because she had no idea how much effort the nurses had put into the day.

THE BEST PART OF THE DAY

Nurses also made silk flowers for Vieneese because authentic arrangements were not permitted in the hospital. The bouquet added the final touch to her outfit and readied her for the special walk.

Walking down the hospital halls arm in arm with her dad is something Vieneese will never forget. She expressed:

"And just walking with him -- actually taking that walk -- was amazing. I was so glad we got to do that. I really got to talk with him and have him hold my arm, and that part was definitely the best."

SHE VOWED TO TAKE CARE OF HIM

The pair always shared a close bond, and Vieneese even took him in when he first became sick. She vowed to walk with her dad through the rest of his journey.

Roland was moved to a hospice shortly after the wedding. Despite his deteriorating condition, Vieneese noted: "He still has the will, the spunk, and the humor to be completely alive."

CELEBRATING MORE GOOD NEWS

Vieneese and her now-husband were delighted when they discovered they were expecting a baby. They couldn't wait to tell Rolan and took balloons to his hospital room to share the news and the gender.

Vieneese said:

"I’m five months pregnant. It’s a baby girl. He was so excited."

PREPARING TO SAY GOODBYE

The daughter admired her dad, and she was grateful for the wisdom he imparted to her. He helped her make good choices throughout her life, and she shared that she would miss his guidance and sense of humor.

Vieneese added:

"He was full of humor, so I will miss laughing with my dad. There’s so much about his personality I will definitely miss."

HE PASSED AWAY

A few weeks after the impromptu wedding, Rolan passed away. While the family expected his death, it still came as a shock. Vieneese was in disbelief when doctors called to tell her the news.

She explained:

"I knew his time was very limited. I actually thought he would pass today or tomorrow, but hearing it was totally different. I’ve lost my Superman.”

The 62-year-old father didn't have the chance to meet his granddaughter, but Vieneese was happy his suffering was over. She stated that he wasn't himself during his final days, and she was glad there was no more pain.

THERE WAS A HUGE VOID

Vieneese, who lost her mom in 2009, shared that her dad never moved on after his wife's death. They were very much in love, and she was pleased thinking about them reuniting again.

She planned to tell her daughter about Rolan and was heartbroken that the baby wouldn't have maternal grandparents. Vieneese noted that she felt empty and knew there would always be "a huge void" in her life.

HIS MEMORY WILL LIVE ON

Vieneese had a profound love for her father, and his memory would undoubtedly live on in her. He instilled strength and confidence in her, and she endeavored to instill the same qualities in her daughter.

Vieneese expressed:

"I love you so much. I will never forget the things you’ve taught me. You made me believe in the impossible, have faith in God no matter what my eyes saw."

Vieneese will always be grateful that she moved up her wedding date and experienced the significant milestone with her beloved father. Click here for another heartwarming story about love and loss.