Sweet little 7-year-old Skylar desperately wanted her daddy to take her to their school’s annual daddy-daughter dance. But when he failed to show, her big brother stepped up in a big way, melting all of our hearts in the process.
It hurts when someone who is supposed to be there for you lets you down, especially when it becomes a repeat cycle of disappointment. Sadly, this was Skylar’s situation. Her father was nowhere to be found this same time last year when the special dance rolled around.
Awaiting this year’s dance with nervous anticipation, Skylar approached her mother months in advance.
“This year she comes to me ahead of time and says, ‘Mommy, I want my dad to come with me to the dance.'” Skylar’s mom, Trelysia Hamerter, told Today. “I don’t want grandpa. I want my dad. I want everyone to know I have a dad.”
Trelysia reached out to her ex, hopeful he would come through this year. Surely he wouldn’t let this little princess down again. But the day of the dance grew closer, and he wasn’t answering his phone. The day before, her heart breaking knowing the heart break her daughter would feel for the second year in a row, Trelysia helplessly cried to herself.
“I felt so bad because there was nothing I could do. I’m not a male, obviously,” she posted on Facebook.
Skylar’s older brother, 11-year-old Christian, noticed her tears and inquired about the situation. Though we’ve all focused on the wonderful way in which he stepped up next, it’s clear this young man had already stepped up in their home — caring for and protecting not only the tender feelings of his younger sister, but being aware of his mother’s emotional state as well.
In Trelysia’s words, Christian told her, “If he doesn’t show, Mom, I’d like to take Skylar to the dance… she deserves to know that a man can keep his word and that she’s really special.” This response brought even more tears, but this time, the good kind.
They hurried and bought Christian a suit to match his sister’s dress, “just in case.” When their dad didn’t show, Christian was ready to take his place.
Skylar’s mom later wrote on Facebook, “This is the second year that my daughter’s father stood her up for the daddy-daughter dance. She cried because she had her heart set on going. Then her big brother stepped in and said he’d take her… y’all, I literally cried.”
Trelysia added, “Just know that I’m raising someone a GREAT HUSBAND one day.”
The smile on both of their faces says it all. Big brother was a wonderful replacement, little sister got the date she deserved, and Mom reported they had a lovely time enjoying the dance together.
This story was exclusively written for Love What Matters by Elizabeth Grow. Join the Love What Matters family and subscribe to our newsletter.
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