A Father’s Final Gift: Bride Shares Heartfelt Dance with Her Ailing Dad
A father-daughter dance is one of the most poignant moments at any wedding, symbolizing the unbreakable bond between a dad and his little girl. For Mary Bourne Roberts, this moment was even more meaningful—one she had cherished since childhood.
From the time she was little, Mary and her father, Jim, had danced together, twirling around their kitchen to the song I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack. The song’s message—about taking chances and never giving up—held deep meaning for them. Long ago, they made a promise: when Mary got married, that song would play during their father-daughter dance.
Mary pursued her passion for dance, majoring in it at the University of Alabama before becoming an instructor at a dance academy. But life had other plans. Jim was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. Without hesitation, Mary moved closer to home, determined to be by his side.
As Jim’s condition worsened, Mary made a heartbreaking yet hopeful decision—she moved up her wedding date to ensure her father could be there. By the time the day arrived, Jim had entered hospice care, but nothing could stop him from keeping their promise.
Seated in a wheelchair, Jim held his daughter’s hand as they shared their long-awaited dance. Mary gently wheeled him around the dance floor, kissing his cheek and cherishing every second. The moment was so powerful that guests struggled to hold back tears, and their photographer captured what would become an unforgettable image of love and devotion.
Less than two weeks later, Jim passed away. But for Mary, their dance was a final gift—one last beautiful memory that she will hold in her heart forever.