Every love story is beautiful in its own way. But there are few things more precious than the love between a parent and their child.
The relationship between Elizabeth Hatline's new husband Kevin and her young daughter Madeleine is a perfect example of that.
Elizabeth, a schoolteacher, recently married Kevin on May 26, 2017, after nearly 2 years of dating. Since the beginning, her little girl has been an essential part of the couple's romance.
While some bachelors might shy away from stepping into the built-in role of "daddy," Kevin took to the role with unmatched enthusiasm. Very quickly, he and Madeleine developed a one-of-a-kind bond.
Kevin even proposed to Madeleine right after proposing to her mother, demonstrating his heartwarming commitment to both of the women in his life.
Their wedding was a very special day, and Kevin even factored in a special moment for Madeleine during the ceremony that had every guest in tears.
Elizabeth shared her family's wonderful story on Love What Matters, where it quickly went viral. Within 5 days, the post had over 28,000 reactions and over 2,000 shares.
Photo Credit: Michigan Imagery
Elizabeth writes:
I started dating my (now) husband Kevin in November of 2015. We had one date and the next day, we both knew our lives were going to change. He lived in Texas and my daughter Madeleine and I lived in Michigan.
We continued to date long distance for the next 6 months. We wrote each other letters, facetimed every night and hopped on a plane once a month to keep our relationship strong.
He would ask to talk to Madeleine, send her little gifts in the mail and tried his best to get to know her at a long distance level. Kevin moved to Michigan the following spring to live with Madeleine and I. He overnight went from a bachelor to a "daddy."
He had teddy bear tea parties, learned to read books in different character voices and I caught the two of them eating whipped cream right out of the can one day. He went to every swim practice, girl scout troop meeting, soccer game and dance recital.
He taught her to swim, listens to her sing and has played every board game we own at least 10 times. He also endured 5 days at Walt Disney World, the movie 'Frozen' on repeat for months and rescued 2 kittens for her that she named Mac and Cheese.
He drove her to Kindergarten every morning and told her every night that he loved her more now than yesterday, but that he would love her even more tomorrow.
When he proposed in Boston at the Public Garden, he made sure to ask Madeleine what she thought and ask if he could forever be her 'daddy.' He did this on one knee… just like he did for me.
From this day forward, Madeleine started telling friends, family and her teachers about 'her wedding.' About how she was going to be a flower girl and it was going to be the 'best day ever!' On our wedding day, we did a "first look" with Madeleine prior to the ceremony.
At the ceremony, Kevin got down on one knee (after his vows to me) and said his vows to Madeleine.
He told her that he would love her for the rest of his life, that she was just as beautiful as her mommy and that he was going to be the best dad to her that he could possibly be.
He also presented her with a necklace that said 'I may not have given you life but life has given me you.'
I have never seen her cry like that; perfect little tears of joy that showed just how much she truly loves her daddy.
Those tears meant her world was now complete and that it's never too late for the happily ever after we both deserved.
Not only did Madeleine cry but we all cried. Her pure tears of happiness created a ripple affect on the entire 101 friends and family we were surrounded by.
It truly was 'our best day ever.'
Dane Vermeulen of Michigan Imagery (Elizabeth and Kevin's wedding photographers) told LittleThings that even he and his wife were crying behind their cameras along with every other guest at the wedding after Kevin's heartfelt vows.
Capping off the perfect day, Madeleine and Kevin shared a special daddy-daughter dance.
"We danced to the song 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole," Elizabeth told LittleThings.
"I danced with my dad, and Madeleine danced with Kevin at the same time."
The strong bond between Kevin and his daughter Madeleine brings tears to my eyes.
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