'Remember All the Stuff They Said You'd Never Do?': Dad Writes Emotional Letter to Daughter on Her Wedding Day

An emotional dad pens a touching message for his daughter on her wedding day, looking back at all the odds she'd beaten through the years. The message serves as an inspiration not only for his daughter but for all other persons with disability who one day dream of walking down the aisle.

A girl's first love will always be their dad. Their dad holds their hand, treats them like royalty, and shows them how well they should be treated in adulthood.

For a woman named Jillian, growing up came with extra challenges. Having been born with Down syndrome, she was told many times the things she couldn't and wouldn't do in her lifetime.

Seeing Things in a Different Light

On Jillian's wedding day, her dad, author Paul Daugherty, used his talent to write a heartwarming letter for his daughter. There, he narrated his very own perspective on her ability to beat the odds, no matter how many they were.

Jillian had always been an overachiever. Her father didn't doubt for a second that the things they told her she couldn't do, she'd one day accomplish.

However, when Jillian was 12, she told her father, "I don't have any friends." Paul cried when he heard this. There was nothing more he wanted than for Jillian to have a normal childhood.

Time would tell him, however, that Jillian would overcome all of these challenges. No matter where she went, she was a star. She was a natural around people and eventually found her own group of friends.

Beating the Odds

"Do you remember all the stuff they said you'd never do, Jills?" her dad asked in the letter. "You wouldn't ride a two-wheeler or play sports. You wouldn't go to college. You certainly wouldn't get married. Now, look at you."

With her daughter embarking on a new journey, Paul is relieved to know that happiness is a natural state of mind for his darling daughter. She is a kind, genuine soul. "You're the nicest person I know," he told her.

As he stood beneath a window, watching his little girl getting all glammed up for her special day, he was experiencing pure bliss. He admits he doesn't know the odds of a woman with Down syndrome marrying her match, but he's certain his daughter was just about to beat the odds.

Marrying the Love of Her Life

Jillian was about to marry the love of her life, Ryan, and Paul knew that. He was the same man who courageously knocked on their door, wearing a dapper suit and a corsage made of orchids.

"I'm here to take your daughter to the homecoming, sir," he had said. Dads are prepared to hear that line, but at that moment, it was more than just a coming-of-age story. Paul's worries about Jillian's future completely vanished.

Conquering Marriage Together

Since that day, Jillian and Ryan had been inseparable. Seeing how they both blossomed in ten years, Paul was confident they would conquer marriage together.

There was no piece of advice that Paul could say as his daughter was already doing all of it. He said:

I would tell you to give your fiancé, Ryan, your whole heart, but that would be stating the obvious. I would tell you to be kind to him and gentle with him. But you do that already, with everyone you know."

Daddy's Little Girl

Paul ended the touching note with the moment he saw Jillian leave her prep room. He was absolutely breathless, and all he could say was, "You look beautiful."

"I'll always be your little girl," Jillian tells him. With all his heart, Paul agreed. "Yes you will," he replied.

Paul walked Jillian down the aisle with 125 guests present for the special moment. He credits these 125 guests for helping Jillian and Ryan get to that point in their lives.

"It really takes a village, especially when you're talking about a child with a disability," he admits. Ultimately, the proud dad hopes his letter resonates with others and helps them see people with Down syndrome in a different light.

It's always inspiring to see stories of hope, love, and kindness. In a similar story, the world's first married couple with Down syndrome celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary, proving that true love does conquer all.