Losing a parent is never simple because you knew them your entire life and had a special bond with them. It’s the kind of pain that can only be felt and not understood. Just a few months before Andrea was set to wed the love of her life, her father passed away from pancreatic cancer. She was heartbroken since all she wanted was for him to be present for her wedding.
Even though everyone anticipated there would be a huge absence at the ceremony, the wedding nonetheless took place. Because he knew how much Andrea missed their father, Andrea’s brother prepared a wonderful surprise for her. His own version of the song “Butterfly Kisses,” which is about a father’s love for his daughter, had to be recorded.
“Butterfly Kisses” was written by Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas and released in 1997. Carlisle saw it as a gift for his daughter, an incredible way to celebrate her 16th birthday. The song topped the Adult Contemporary chart and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Song. “Butterfly Kisses” is a touching story of a father-daughter relationship that spans decades, invoking everything from childhood recollections to the daughter’s wedding day.
Following the wedding ceremony, Andrea’s brother informed that he had recorded “Butterfly Kisses” and that it would be played during the traditional father-daughter dance. Andrea’s jaw absolutely dropped before she burst into tears. She danced with several close family members while her brother’s version of the song played: her grandfather (dad’s father), each of her brothers in turn, and ultimately her new father-in-law. There couldn’t have been a dry eye in the entire room!
This extremely moving video is shown below. The fact that it has received over 27 million views demonstrates how well it has been received. Andrea will undoubtedly continue to draw strength from her great loving family.