After learning he had just months to live, Fred wanted to surprise two of his daughters and wife with a special gift. An inspiring story of a Father’s love to his family.
Photography by Fotocrew Members: Matt and Julie Norine
“When Fotolanthropy came to us with this story, we knew it would be perfect for us. As wedding photographers, weddings and marriage are close to our hearts. We are also members of Watermark Community church, and we thought we would be serving a family in our church body this Friday evening, but little did we know that the Evan’s family did us an abundant service by allowing us to be with them to witness what they had planned this day.
Fred Evan’s was recovering from a double lung transplant when doctors discovered metastatic melanoma. Because of the medications he was taking to keep his body from rejecting his new lugs, Fred is unable to endure much chemotherapy to treat the cancer. Upon this discovery, Fred was given just months to live. Fred and wife Karla are two people who just radiate love for life. They always enjoy doing fun things, such as tailgating at a jimmy buffet concert, scuba diving and underwater photography in Cozumel and attending church on Sundays. When most people would be devastated by this prognosis, Fred and Karla continued to live and enjoy life like they always had, never stopping to take a moment for granted.
Fred has four children, three daughters, Martha, Gracie and Kate and one son named Daniel. Two of the daughters, Gracie and Kate are not married. As a daddy, Fred wants to make sure he got the opportunity to walk his other two daughters down the aisle and give them away. Their oldest daughter Martha helped her mom and dad plan a special ceremony to do just that. They told the girls Fred had something special planned for their mom, and gave them each a different time to arrive at the chapel inside Watermark. When the girls arrived, their dad greeted them wearing a tuxedo. They each shared a special, quiet moment alone with their dad in the foyer of the chapel. He gave them each a bouquet and told them just in case he would not be there the day they get married, he wanted to walk them down the aisle and give them his blessing. The girls had no idea that Fred had this planned, and the look on their face when they started to realize what he was doing was priceless. He walked them down the aisle each to a special song, their immediate family watching. When they reached the alter, Fred gave them each away, and the family circled around them to pray over their future marriages.
After Fred walked Gracie and Kate down the aisle, Fred announced he had one more bride. Karla was so confused at first but she was totally surprised when Fred told her he wanted to renew their vows that day. She was presented with her own special bouquet and she and Fred walked down the aisle together. Roland, Karla’s brother officiated the simple ceremony, as they each promised to continue to love each other for the rest of their lives.
We were absolutely blown away by the joy, peace and trust this entire family has demonstrated during this time. To see the brave face Fred had as he greeted each daughter, knowing how hard it was going to be to say the words he did, and walk them down the aisle as he did. He and Karla’s love for each other is a perfect example of what all marriages should be. For anyone who gets married, we say those vows ” in sickness and in health, for better or for worse” never really thinking we will be there one day turning those vows into actions. We are sure Fred and Karla did not think the weight of those vows would come so early on in their lives. As a married couple we were abundantly blessed to see this father’s love for his family. Not only did he love his daughters and wife through these brave actions, but he loved his entire family by being an example of a brave man to them. We will never forget this day in the Watermark chapel. Evan’s family, thank you so much for allowing these two strangers to be a part of this day. We are blessed to know you.” – written by Fotocrew Member Julie Norine
Fred Evans received his wings on July, 25 2013.
How absolutely beautiful this story is. We were just discussing last night in my church’s Wednesday night prayer service, how it can be possible to thank God for every situation you find yourself in. You may not like it, nor wish it had heppened, but you can rejoice in the joy of the Lord always- this man and his family have not let the ‘situation’ of their lives define them. They continue to make the best of the situation thru their love for each other and their obvious faith in God – that He is in control. It takes a smart man, a loving man, a strong man, to think of the possibility that he might not be there for his girls at that important moment in their lives, but he now will always be there in their memory doing exactly what they one day might have to do without him in the flesh. God bless their family and what an awesome Dad these girls have!
True love – to anticipate the needs of those we care about and to do all within our power to lessen the pain of those God has blessed us with in our lives. Mr. Evans, you are an amazing and glorifying example of love in action. I thank you for your example and I promise to “take a learning” and apply your example in my life in whatever way God finds His purpose for me to do. Thank you for sharing your story.
That just so touched my heart. what a loving family I could just see god presence in those pictures. I am sorry for your loss but remember he is in his mansion waiting to see you again one day. god bless your family.
Donna
Everyone should hear and see this story. What a ever lasting love he has for his family. I know he will be with them forever, looking down at them and keeping them safe and having his arms around them. Why do all the young die early? I know God needed him back but he to will watch over them till they meet again. God Bless You All. Remember to always share his story with others and tell the little ones about him. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
im so sorry this was so touching i was crying watching i wish i had a father like this or even had my dad walk me down . very very touching
Thank you for sharing this beautiful event. You have blessed me beyond words. I will be praying for your family.
What a wonderful story. What an inspiration for his Family. What a legacy to leave behind. Maybe he will beat this after all. May God bless this man and his family.
The story & video are so very beautiful. Praying for the family. The song helped to make the experience real for us viewing. Please share the name of song & artist.
This story is such a moving one. I think I speak for every one of us when we express how beautiful and pure this fathers love was. The parting gift he gave them was truly amazing. To witness this through amazing photography was a blessing. May we all be so lucky to a “Fred” in our own lives.
So WONDERFUL !…….. Thank you so much for that moving, incredible story !
Dear Fred and family,
My heart swells as I read about your experience. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story.
From one wedding photographer to another:
Thank you. You are a credit to our industry.
What a Dad!!!!!!
What a Husband!!!
I lost my father when I was only 10 years old, so I knew he would not way me down the aisle I would need to pick someone else.
I wish that I would have had the chance like his daughters did to have their father there, it will only become more special as the years go by.
I was pressured into having my oldest brother walk me down the aisle, and to this day I regret that decision. in my heart I wanted someone else but I went with the choice that had beed picked for me.
I look back now and I wished that I would of had my Mother. My Mother raised three children alone with very little education she worked in the field, did child care and any type of employment to be able to put food on the table. She did all this and never owed anybody anything. I am sure my Mom would have been honoured to walk me down the aisle I know I would have. I wish I could tell her that but she since passed on to a better life.
The father gave his daughters a gift that can’t be replaced, what done out of Love is always good
Wow, what a man to think of his bride and daughters at a time when he was most in need physically. God is incredible, and he deserves incredible praise.
This story is so beautiful. My heart is aching for this family and I cannot stop from crying. You guys were so blessed by knowing this man and I feel so blessed by reading this story
The best part of FaceBook is that incredible stories like this get shared, and enrich our lives just that much more. Thank You Evan’s Family for Sharing such a powerful story. Your strength, courage and Love for life embraces us all through the pictures and story you posted. The song choice could not have touchd my soul more… And thank you Alan Smyth for passing this on thru FB.
What a touching story and I am so glad you had this opportunity to celebrate life together. God Bless You all for your strength and love! <3
Thank you for such a poignant story. The pictures also tell such the story.
I recently lost my father…and he will not be physically present to walk me down the aisle on my special day. The struck a note is how gracefully and thouhtfully the family gave the two ladies a precious memory.
Thank you for sharing.
What a wonderful husband, father. My prayers go out to the family in their time of grief. .
I have been struggling with cancer for 11 years, I have always believed that it is in our nutrition. I have found a new product that has healed lots of people. It is called Reliv International. I talk to people several times a week that have had cancers, arthritis, allergies, bad knees, etc. and now on this product are just fine. I have been on it for two weeks and feel fabulous changes in my life, envergy, sleeping better, better bm. I will go back to the doctors in January and can’t wait until they see everything gone…..I hope this gets to you in time……Jesus is my Father and I will pray for you and your family……
There is no greater wish that I keep in my heart than to have my beloved Dad walk me down the aisle, as he did my three other sisters. Sadly, he had a massive stroke in 2008, leaving him unable to walk or talk. My folks were like two peas in a pod, but we lost Mom in 2011, after she had been in failing health for several years, so to have him do something like that for me now would be too emotionally taxing for him, I am afraid. What this father was able to to for his daughters was a gift beyond all measure. They shall cherish it forever and share it with their children and their children’s children. Truly one the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
This is beautiful. Your dad has a beautiful soul. My dad got his wings on march 1rst 2014 on his birthday after fighting a losing battle against cancer. I know what love like this from a father feels like mine was my hero. You were blessed as well. Heaven certainly has two beautiful souls. Thank you for posting.