If there’s one thing we all share in common, it’s that we all miss loved ones who have died. But, there are certain events in our lives where that void is felt more poignantly. When Kourtney Young was preparing to marry her fiancé Tanner Krietemeier, she thought a lot about ways she could honor her father’s memory and spirit. Her dad was Denver Police Detective Donnie Young. Fourteen years ago, Officer Young was tragically murdered in the line of duty, and to this day, his family still endures the pain of his loss. “I had my dad’s necklace wrapped around my bouquet. Tanner and I did a shot of Patron during the ceremony in his honor. We tried to make it fun — smiles, happy memories,” Kourtney said. “Big life moments are hard not having him here,” she added.
On the young couple’s big day, Kourtney’s mom, Kelly, walked her down the aisle, and her dad’s two best friends, officers who served with him on the force, waited with Tanner at the altar. And there were also several officers in attendance at her wedding to stand in for their fallen brother. Following the ceremony, Kourtney confessed that she was a bit nervous about the traditional father-daughter dance. But, it turns out that she had nothing to worry about because her mom had arranged a special surprise for her daughter that would bring the entire reception to tears.
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While leading her daughter to the dance floor, Kelly handed her over to the first of several of her father’s fellow officers who were patiently waiting to give her the daughter-father dance that Donnie would have wanted his little girl to have. “I was shocked. The look on my face in the video was like, ‘Oh no.’ I just knew the tears were going to be flowing,” Kourtney said.
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One after another, the officers took turns dancing with Kourtney, while telling her just how proud and happy her dad would have been to see her come this far.
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Officer Danny Veith recalled, “I just told her how Donnie was and is proud of her. Being the first to dance with her, I got to see every other officer walk out, very proud, happy fathers. And then as they turned their back to Kourtney to return to our group, every single one of them was crying. At that moment, I was just so proud of these guys and how far they have come in the last 14 years.”
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By the time the song was over, there wasn’t a dry eye at the wedding. Kourtney’s new husband, Tanner said that he was blown away by the level of support he witnessed from fellow police officers who’d served with his wife’s father so many years ago. “It’s a pretty amazing thing to watch how they come together wrap around and support Kourtney and her family, it’s a special thing,” said Tanner.
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We are reminded when we see these devoted Denver police officers, that the bond between real brothers never dies. They will always answer the call to stand in for their treasured friend and colleague — such a heartwarming way to honor the life of one of their own.
Source: Inspire More