One of the things we look forward to most at a traditional wedding reception is the first dance.
The bride and groom come together for the first time as a married couple and, as they slowly sway around the room, it seems as though the whole world stops for a few magical moments.
After they part, it's the father's turn to hold guide his little girl across the dance floor in an often tear-filled embrace. It's a magical moment of a different kind that many people look forward to on their special day.
But what if dad's not in the picture?
Meet Julia and her mom Sheila.
Sheila Rossi raised her daughter as a single mother. Julia calls her mom her "best friend" and "hero," and it's not hard to see why.
Being a single mother is tough enough, but Sheila managed to do it all while battling cystic fibrosis.
While the disease leaves her short of breath, she doesn't let it hold her back from being there for her daughter - especially when it comes to wedding planning!
Julia was set to be married on July 8 and she wanted her supermom to have a very special role in the celebration.
Not only was she the mother of the bride, but she would also step into "dad's" shoes for the father-daughter dance. Together, the bride and her mother practiced a choreographed dance for hours.
See how all their hard work paid off on the next page!
The exertion took it's toll on Mom and she'd often take breaks to hook up to her oxygen tank. But, as soon as she felt better, she was back on the dance floor.
On the day of the wedding, no one knew what to expect.
The stunning bride and her beautiful Mama glided effortlessly across the floor to the emotional "Mama's Song."
Suddenly, the music changed to the Flo rida's toe-tapping hip-hop beat, "Cake." That was their cue!
Mom and daughter stepped apart and brought down the house with their awesome routine - even Grandma was in on it!
Julia describes her mom as "the strongest, coolest, most positive person in the world who uplifts everyone around her."
The blushing bride explains that, in spite of all her medical appointments and treatments, multiple medications and hospital stays, her mom has always managed to be there for her.
Watch their special dance below! Congratulations Julia!
There is NOTHING to stop you from doing something you've dreamed of doing. I'm 56yr old with cystic fibrosis, a chronic fatal disease currently at 35% pulmonary function. My beloved daughter Julia Narsasian married the man of her dreams on 7/8/2017. We wanted to create the most perfect memory for us and those present. I think we accomplished our mission! For all my CF heroes, remeber GRATITUDE for accepting how much we do have, and letting go of what you think your life is supposed to be...will only bring MIRACLES --enjoy â¤ï¸ #cysticfibrosis #cflife #fight2breathe #cfawareness #gratitudecreatesmiracles #cfcantstopme #curecf #inspire #breathelove #getmyoxygennow (Choreography Sarah Massey)
Posted by Sheila Rossi on Tuesday, July 11, 2017
[h/t InspireMore/ Huff Post]
