Stepdad's emotional wedding vows to his stepson: "I'll be your shoulder, I love you"
"I promise to always be there for you when you need someone - whether it be a coach, a dad, a friend" ❤️
Over in the States, we've noticed that it seems to be becoming a bit of a thing for parents/step-parents to give vows to their children, as well as their partners, at their weddings.
And we kind of like it ? For it's true, that when you marry someone with kids, you marry the kids in a way, too.
As mums, our children come as part of the package.
So we loved this story, shared by Natalie Crabtree, from Indiana, on Love What Matters, who revealed how she and her partner gave vows to each other's children at their wedding.
Natalie wrote:
“My son Rylan had been without a positive, stable father figure for 5 out of the 7 years of his life. It is something he has always longed for. I would watch him watch other children with their daddies, and it just broke my heart.
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"Over those five years, I had been through a few relationships that just didn’t work out. No matter how cautious I was with keeping my guard up and making sure those people loved my son just as much as I did, we still couldn’t find the one for us.
"Those relationships ended in nothing but heartache and trust issues for Rylan and me. Then Joe came along.
"A year and a half ago, I met up with an old high school friend. Little did I know that he would be our missing piece. He has two children as well, and I instantly fell in love with him and his babies.
"From day one, we did not go one day without seeing each other. I used to dream about finding someone who would complete us. Joe is better than any of those dreams. He has shown us what it is like to have a family.
"He loves us with so much intensity that it feels unreal at times."
❤️
Speaking about the wedding day, Natalie says:
"The moment when Joe brought Rylan up in front of our guests on that special day, is a moment I will never forget. He told Rylan, ‘I promise to always be there for you when you need someone.
"Whether it be a coach, a dad, a friend. Anything you need, you can always come to me, and I’ll be your shoulder. I love you, bub.'"
So lovely, right? Natalie ended by saying: "They all knew our story, the struggles we have been through, and how important it was for me to find someone like Joe for Rylan.
"Rylan knew in that moment that he now has a father; one who truly loves him and will not leave like others have."
What do you think?
Would you think about saying vows to your children or step children at your wedding? Maybe you did - or something similar? Tell us in the comments below or over on Facebook
Images: Thru His Eyes shared on Love What Matters by Natalie Crabtree
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Tara is mum to 1 daughter, Bodhi Rae, and has worked as Content Editor and Social Media Producer at MadeForMums since 2015
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