He eventually settled on the idea of proposing adoption because he realized he was "kind of like the only father-figure they had ever really had."
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on November 3, 2021. It has since been updated.
Getting married is a huge step into the relationship, but one person thought just that wasn't enough. So, when Dontez Williams, 33, was preparing to marry his fiancée, Myshella Burton, 26, in August 2021, he knew he also wanted to commit to his future wife's children—Abigail, 9, and Natalie, 8— as well. Williams and Burton, who first met via a dating website, got engaged in 2017 and had decided to get married in 2020. However, they had to push it another year due to the pandemic.
Given how he'd been in their lives for seven years, he knew he had to do this because he wanted to be a part of their lives forever. So, just before he read out his vows to Burton, he delivered heartwarming vows to Abigail and Natalie, asking them if they'd be okay with him being their legal father instead of just their stepfather, according to Fox News.
Williams met both girls when they were just infants and he recalled how they all just bonded, which he took as a sign, to solidify their relationship. He knew they were "destined" for each other.
(Mail Online):VIDEO: #Groom asks to adopt his step children on his wedding #day : Dontez Williams, 33, from Detroit, Michigan married Myshella Burton in August and surprised his two new stepdaughters Abigail and Natalie by asking .. #TrendsSpy https://t.co/6wQ4RdGDWv pic.twitter.com/babelKA5AR
— NewsOnePlace.com (@newsoneplace) September 27, 2021
This is why, a few days before their wedding on August 13, Williams thought of ways to make his big day even more special. He eventually settled on the idea of proposing adoption because he realized he was "kind of like the only father-figure they had ever really had."
In his own words, "Just the thought of me writing the vows for them, it made me want to tear up. When I felt that emotion just thinking about it, I was like, ‘I got to do this. This is the right decision. There's no ifs, ands or buts about it.’"
He first ran his idea among his colleagues who gave him the go-ahead, and so, he finalized on his vows but made sure to keep it a secret from his family. However. he gave his officiant a heads up at their wedding rehearsal. Along with his vows, he also wrote his adoption proposal and highlighted a few special moments he shared with Abigail and Natalie, including the second time he met them at Abigail’s birthday party.
Just before exchanging their wedding vows, Dontez Williams surprised his bride Layla Burton. He shared a heartfelt message with Layla’s two young daughters by asking if he could formally become their father. https://t.co/X9nzFf0OqW
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) September 27, 2021
"I’ll never forget the way Abigail looked at me. It was priceless," Williams said. "It really meant a lot to me seeing her face light up." That's the moment when he got extremely close to the girls.
On the big day, when William read out the vows to Abigail and Natalie, he noted that they both had confused looks on their face because this wasn't a part of their wedding rehearsal. When they soon realized what was going on, tears soon started flowing down their faces. Burton was also shocked and surprised at the same time. "Myshella was really shocked, but she was happy and just thankful for me stepping up," he added. "She was really happy that I feel that way for them and said she’s grateful to have me in their lives."
Here's hoping the family cherishes each and every moment they spend together.
References:
https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/groom-stepdaughters-adoption-proposal-wedding-michigan
Cover Image Source: YouTube | Majically
