Brittany Peck was excitedly waiting for her wedding day to arrive. She was finally going to marry the love of her life. Her whole family was there - and both her step- and biological father were present.
However, at one point, the wedding was stopped. The worst thing is that it was her dad who did it! Instead of walking her down the aisle, he halted and started walking towards the bride's stepfather. Brittany was about to burst into tears - she couldn't handle it. Her dad was about to ruin the most important day of her life!
A Lengthy Custody Battle
Brittany and her sister had a rough childhood. As per reports, their parents filed for a divorce when she was six-year-old. What followed later was a lengthy custody battle.
“My parents could not agree on custody of me and my little sister,” Brittany explained. “I had my own lawyer, and it was very, very bad. It could be a Lifetime movie with all that we’ve been through.”
Didn’t Want To Share His Daughter
As it seldom goes, a biological father and step-father don’t usually get along that well. Brittany’s case wasn’t entirely different. Her biological dad, Todd Bachman, didn't want to share his daughter with her mom’s new partner.
Todd Bachman and Todd Cendrosky, Brittany’s stepfather, were having a hard time getting along together. They just ‘tolerated’ each other. Their feud regarding Brittany took a drastic turn and that too, on her wedding day!
Time Heals Everything
That is the thing about time, right? It heals everything! The two Todds eventually started respecting each other after getting to know that they both loved Brittany equally.
Both might have been brilliant fathers for Brittany, but their interpersonal differences were still evident. Brittany had no idea that this would lead to a final culmination on her wedding day when her biological father would step the wedding right in between!
Brittany’s Conundrum
As Brittany’s wedding day was getting nearer, she was riddled with a conundrum. She had to pick roles for both her father and step-father.
The reason why she was in a dilemma was that the latter had played a significant role in her life since she was six. But how could she choose between her biological father and her step-father who took care of her most of her life?
Wanted Both Dads
Since both of them were equally important to Brittany, she wanted both of them to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. It was next to impossible, given Bachman’s temperament.
“I finally just built up the courage to call him about two weeks before the wedding and said, ‘I really need to talk to you,'” she said. But how would Bachman react?
Bachman Agreed
To Brittany’s surprise and joy, Bachman agreed! He even told her not to worry, convincing her that he knew how important it was to her for him to attend the wedding. Bachman might have agreed instantly to come to her wedding and walk her down the aisle but he had something planned in his mind.
He was planning to stop the wedding right in between. Who does that with his own daughter?
Left His Daughter At The Golf Cart
Bachman, who split from Brittany’s mother in 2000, drove his daughter down to the aisle in a golf cart. It was an outdoor ceremony and everything was going in a very desired manner.
Bachman was supposed to walk Brittany down the aisle but guess what he did? He left his own daughter at the golf cart and walked out. What sinister plan did he have in his mind?
Sought Out Her Step-Father
As it turned out, Bachman walked towards Todd Cendrosky, Brittany’s stepfather. Bachman grabbed his hand and said “‘Hey, come with me. You’ve had just as big of a part in raising this child.
It’s time you and I walk our daughter down the aisle together.” This gesture shocked everybody because no one was expecting this to happen. Todd Cendrosky’s reaction was pretty exemplary too!
Best Moment Of His Life
Seeing Bachman approaching him, Cendrosky was a bit shocked at first. But when Bachman revealed his true intentions, it shocked Cendrosky even more! He was left in tears!
Moreover, he also described that particular moment as the best moment in his life. Hand in hand, both her fathers went back to Brittany. What was her reaction to that?
Brittany’s Reaction
Brittany Peck was shocked and overwhelmed by this reaction. In an interview, she said "It meant the world to me. It was the happiest moment of my life walking down the aisle with both of them.”
We often see parents and step-parents at odds but we are glad that it turned out in a different manner in Brittany’s case.
A Tidal Wave Of Emotion
“I was behind the tree,” Mrs Peck said, “and it was actually hard for me to see. But I heard. I heard people sobbing. Everyone was crying.”
It certainly moved Brittany and all the people who were present there as well. Everyone who was at the wedding could feel a strong tidal wave of emotions hitting them.
Went viral
Delia D. Blackburn Photography of LaGrange, Ohio had the responsibility to click photos. She didn’t disappoint at all as she managed to capture this heart-warming moment.
The photos that she clicked went viral in no time. In less than a week or so, the video had more than 64 million views on it already!
Destigmatize Divorce
Janet Schrager, a Connecticut clinical psychologist who works with high-conflict families in divorce cases had something to say about the video.
According to her, the outpouring on social media about Mrs Peck’s wedding may point to a desire among children of split families to destigmatize divorce.
Ashton Kutcher Shared The Video!
In no time, the video was being shared across several countries! And if you think that it only got famous among commoners, you are dead wrong.
Even celebrities like Ashton Kutcher shared the video! Seems like every soul who came across this incident was in awe of Bachman’s noble gesture!
It Is Best For The Kids
It is no secret that parents and step-parents are often at odds. The brunt of it falls down on their children.
But if they are wise enough to understand this, it turns out to be the best for the kids. And not only for kids, for themselves as well!
Unforgettable For Todd
Todd Cendrosky, who was surprised by Bachman’s gesture, still thinks of that moment as unforgettable. He says that he is never going to forger Bachman’s gesture.
"He invited me to be part of that day. And that's something that can never be taken away. It'll always be there." We indeed agree!
Bachman Kept It A Secret
Todd Bachman, Brittany’s biological father had it all planned.
It might seem like it was an impulsive decision on his part to let Cedrosky become a part of the ritual, Bachman started planning for it even before Brittany called him! Bachman kept it a secret as he wanted to surprise Brittany on her wedding day.
He Thought He Would Sit In The Crowd
Todd Cendrosky once started thinking that he would remain a part of the crowd on Brittany’s wedding day. He assumed that Bachman being her biological father, would be the only one to walk her down the aisle.
This is the reason why Bachman’s gesture moved him so much because he didn’t see it coming!
What The Photographer Had To Say
Blackburn, who was responsible for clicking the photos on Brittany’s wedding day, gave an interview to ABC news.
This is what she had to say "I am a step-parent and I understand the struggle between divided families and the majority of Americans are from blended families and they can relate. I could have never have known just at this level."