Bride Travels Hundreds of Miles to Fulfill Ailing Grandpa’s Dream Of Dancing with Her in Her Wedding Dress

A bride felt sad after learning that her beloved grandfather wouldn't be able to attend her wedding because he had a stroke days before. Soon, she packed her bags and flew miles from her hometown, holding her bridal dress, to meet her grandfather.

Natalie Browning, a 24-year-old bride from Virginia, was all set to marry the man she loved the most. She was excited for her big day because it meant all her friends and family would gather in one place to celebrate her happiness.

Browning couldn't wait to wear her beautiful white gown. However, two weeks before her wedding, she learned that her beloved grandfather, Nelson May, had suffered a stroke.

The Excited Grandfather

May had always wished to dance with Browning on her big day, but his condition wouldn't allow him to travel to her hometown. It was clear that he wouldn't be attending her wedding.

During the months before Browning's wedding, May told her how excited he was for her big day, so he was heartbroken when fate got in the way of this. Browning said:

"My sweet grandpa was so excited to dance with me at my wedding."

She Boarded A Flight

In June 2021, Browning tied the knot as planned, but she missed her 94-year-old grandfather terribly. She danced without him and wished he was there to watch her start a new chapter of her life.

She boarded her first flight holding the gown in her hand while other passengers had bags hanging on their shoulders.

However, Browning believed that her grandfather's absence didn't mean she couldn't dance with him in her wedding gown. Thus, on August 1, she packed her bag and wrapped her beautiful white wedding gown in a pink cover, ready to board a flight to Florida.

Preserving The Memories

Browning's love for her grandfather was so much that flying 800 miles across the country to surprise him didn't bother her. She was excited to see him and thought this was a way to fulfill his wish.

To preserve the precious moments, Browning recorded a video of her entire journey and uploaded it on the internet. She posed with her gown and left her home early in the day to reach her grandfather's home on time.

While other passengers were carrying hand bags, Browning boarded her flight carrying her gown. Then she stopped and did her makeup before catching her connecting flight. She wanted everything to be perfect.

The Surprise

Once she landed in Florida, Browning put on her wedding gown before surprising May. He had no idea she was in town, or that she would be meeting him in his living room, donned in her beautiful white dress.

May's surprise was evident when he first saw his beloved granddaughter in his house. Despite not feeling well, he dressed up in a white shirt paired with grey pants and a red tie and danced with Browning in his living room. Browning recalled:

"It was truly a special day."

He Was Special

While Browning twirled in her grandfather's living room and watched him smile, she realized flying all the way from Virginia with her dress in hand was worth it. She was glad to finally fulfill May's wish of dancing with her while she was dressed as a bride.

Browning revealed what made her surprise May and make him feel special. She said that her inspiration came from her jewelry business, where she aimed to make her buyers think they were valuable.

She said she wanted May to know that he was extremely important to her. Although he couldn't attend his wedding because of his health condition, she still allowed him to dance with her, just like he had imagined before her big day. She said:

"I'm just so happy that I was able to give him that experience."

May might not have felt the best before Browning's surprise visit, but we are sure he must have felt better after dancing with his beautiful granddaughter. Her presence must have cheered him up.

We hope Browning keeps inspiring people to have healthy relationships with their grandparents. Share her story with your friends and family to make them smile.

Click here to read another story about a bride who gave up her father-daughter dance for her bridesmaid and her dying dad.