When Chavuanne Cousins got engaged, one of the first questions that weighed heavily on her mind was how she could make sure her father, Dorian Wills, would be able to fully participate in her wedding ceremony. Wills had been left paralyzed from the waist down after a life-changing skiing accident in 2007, and although the injury altered his physical mobility, it never diminished his commitment to being present for his daughters. For Chavuanne, ensuring that her father could walk her down the aisle — in whatever form that took — was a non-negotiable part of her big day (source: People Magazine).

Wills, once an avid skier who hit the slopes twice a week during winter, confessed that he had long wondered how he would fulfill the traditional role of escorting his eldest daughter. “I even thought about buying a wheelchair that stands you up vertically,” he said. “But the investment was far too costly, and I couldn’t manage to get it done before the wedding” (source: Good Morning America). Despite the logistical challenges, Wills said the only thing he never questioned was whether he would be by his daughter’s side.

“It wasn’t a matter of him not being involved,” Cousins said. Determined to find a solution, she and her father devised a plan that included her younger sister walking behind them and gently pushing Wills’ wheelchair down the aisle while he held Chavuanne’s hand. On the wedding day, that thoughtful arrangement created an emotional and unforgettable moment. As 120 guests watched, Wills proudly gave his daughter away to her husband, Joseph, in a ceremony filled with love, grace, and pure determination (source: Associated Press).

Photo via: Alencia Johnson

Their heartwarming father-daughter moments did not end at the ceremony. During the reception at Buffalo’s historic Asbury Hall in New York, Cousins and her father shared a special dance to Stevie Wonder’s classic “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.” Guests described the scene as one of the most emotional highlights of the evening, with many wiping away tears as father and daughter swayed together — a moment made possible not by mobility, but by resilience and devotion (source: USA Today).

Reflecting on the dance, Wills became emotional. “Since she was a little girl, I’ve remembered every facet, every corner, every turn, every milestone in such great detail,” he said. “Through all of it, she has truly been the sunshine of my life. She’s made me so proud, and I was thrilled to be there.”

Cousins echoed the sentiment. “I’m his oldest daughter, the first one to get married, and I could just see the look in his eyes. It meant everything,” she said.

And indeed, it was special — a celebration not only of marriage but also of perseverance, unconditional love, and the powerful bond between a father and his daughter. Congratulations to the beautiful newlyweds!