Touching Moment Bride Walks Down Aisle With Man Who Received Her Late Father's Heart

Oct 28, 2021

One of the most heartwarming moments of a wedding is when the father of the bride walks his daughter down the aisle. It signifies her growing up and starting her own family while still showing the love and care she has for the man who raised her. Sadly, not every bride gets to experience this moment, so they usually bring something that reminds them of their dad to have or hold onto during the wedding to make sure his presence is still felt. 

For 33-year-old Jeni Stepien, she knew that her father’s heart was with her at her wedding in Swissvale, Pennsylvania, in August 2016. Her father was named Michael Stepien, and he died in 2006 after being shot by a teenager. The family decided to donate Michael’s organs to help give someone who was in need of a transplant a second chance at life.

Arthur Thomas, a 72-year-old man from New Jersey, was in desperate need of a new heart. After Michael died, Thomas ended up getting a heart transplant with the heart that once beat inside of Michael. The New Jersey man kept in touch with the Stepien family and even sent them flowers on Michael’s birthday every year.

In August 2016, Thomas received a letter from Jeni asking if he would walk her down the aisle at her wedding. Jeni was finally able to feel her late father’s heartbeat again thanks to the man who received his transplanted heart a decade prior. Read on to find out more about this heartwarming story.

In 2006, Jeni lost her father after he was shot by a 16-year-old, according to the New York Post. The family decided to donate his organs, resulting in Thomas getting his transplanted heart. “I was on death’s door when he was murdered, and I needed a heart or I was going to be dying in the next few days,” Thomas said.

Thomas kept in touch with the Stepien family following Michael’s death and was incredibly moved when Jeni asked him to walk her down the aisle at her wedding. She was marrying a 34-year-old man named Paul Maenner. Thomas explained, “Jeni wrote me a letter and she said, ‘Dear Tom, I’m the daughter of the man whose heart is inside of you. And … would you walk me down the aisle?’”

Joanne Maenner, Jeni’s step-mother-in-law, said, “It was all about having her dad’s heart there, just like every family. She married the man of her dreams, and having her father’s heart there at the same time as getting to meet the man who was the recipient of her father’s heart, face to face, it just completed her.”

Just before she said “I do,” Jeni placed her hand on Thomas’ chest to feel her dad’s heartbeat, according to the New York Post. “It was truly the best day of MY ENTIRE LIFE!” Jeni exclaimed. “To be able to bring my dad home and have him at my wedding was an absolute dream COME TRUE!” Even though Jeni’s father couldn’t be at her wedding, it’s clear that his presence and his heart were still felt, making the day as beautiful as it could have been for the newlyweds.

What did you think about this heartwarming story? How have you included family members at your wedding? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your loved ones, too.