Bride given away by man who got her dad’s heart in transplant
A father’s heart races for his daughter, especially on her wedding day.
But Michael Stepien didn’t live to see his daughter get married. The father, and organ donor, was passed away 10 years ago.
But his heart was there.
Michael Stepien’s spirit is in heaven, but his heart was at his daughter’s wedding — literally.
With each step, Jeni’s dad’s heart beat inside Arthur Thomas, who slowly walked her to the altar. And just before she said I do, Jeni placed her hand on Thomas’ chest just to feel that little bit of her father that’s still very much alive.
“It truly was the best day of MY ENTIRE LIFE!” gushed Stepien on Facebook, beneath a photo of her with Thomas at St. Anselm Church in Swissvale, Pa.
“To be able to bring my dad home and have him at my wedding was an absolute dream COME TRUE!”
In the decade since Thomas received Stepien’s heart, the two families had kept in touch through letters, gifts and calls.
The last letter was Jeni Stepien’s request for Thomas to be a part of the wedding.
Thomas met the Stepien family in person the night before the wedding, and was welcomed with open arms.
“Just hugging him made me feel like I was close to my dad again which on this day was perfect. It was what I needed,” said Michelle Stepien, sister of the bride.
Thomas placed the bride’s hand to his wrist. It was the first time in 10 years that Jeni felt her father’s heart beat.
“The whole family is here now,” Jeni Stepien told the affiliate. ” It’s like everybody is here.”
Source:cbsnews.com, edition.cnn.com, nypost.com
