SerpApi.Org
Many brides do a first look with their dad before walking down the aisle and it was something that Shannon Lewis, 31, always wanted to incorporate into her wedding day. She told Newsweek that she has “always been close” with her dad, Gary McAfee, 67, who simply adores being a girl dad.
Unfortunately, McAfee lost his vision when Lewis was in high school. They have never let that hinder their bond however, and Lewis, of Fort Worth, Texas, knew she still wanted to do a first look with her dad—even if they had to adapt it somewhat.
“It’s weird thinking he hasn’t seen me since I was in high school, but I always prayed he’d be able to picture me on my wedding day,” Lewis said. “I’m a wedding planner and I see how fast wedding days go by and how emotional parents get, so I wanted to make sure my dad and I got to have a moment to take everything in together since he wouldn’t be able to literally see me.”
Lewis’s wedding photographer, Leah Disbennett, 26, captured the heartwarming moment her parents walked into the room moments before she walked down the aisle on June 20. It was incredibly hard for Lewis to contain her emotions as she and her mom, Kerin McAfee, described the wedding dress.
Lewis said: “We’re a family of criers, so obviously there were tears. As I explained each part of the dress, he carefully felt the textures that my mom and I guided him to. He loved the buttons going down the back of the dress because that’s what my mom’s dress had also. He loved feeling that my hair was mostly down because he always loved my long hair as I was growing up.”
This was the first time Disbennett has captured a “first touch,” and it is a moment she will never forget. It was nothing but pure, unconditional love, and the photographer felt honored to be a part of that.
Disbennett told Newsweek: “It’s a moment I’ll carry with me throughout my career and one that reminded me just how grateful I am to do this. How incredible is it to witness moments that are so authentic and pure. To be loved is to be known, and that doesn’t have to mean physically seeing someone.”
Disbennett shared footage of the first touch on Instagram (@madebyleephotos) and it has resonated widely online. At the time of writing, the clip has generated over 394,000 views and 47,300 likes on Instagram.
While the first touch was incredibly significant for Lewis and her dad, it was not the only moment they shared throughout the wedding day. Lewis explained that her dad also walked her down the aisle, lifted her veil at the altar, and they shared a dance at the reception.
Lewis has shared countless beautiful memories with her parents, but she is so grateful that Disbennett captured this one especially. Now, people across the world get to witness the bond she shares with her dad and the kindness he radiates.
“I feel blessed to have a dad that walks through trials without complaints and with full faith in God. He encourages others and makes them feel very cared for and seen, despite his blindness,” Lewis said.
Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to [email protected] and they could appear on our site.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Charlotte Nisbet and Emma Lee-Sang
Related Articles
