When someone goes off script during their wedding ceremony, it’s usually not a good thing. But for Dontez Williams, it was all part of his plan to give his soon-to-be wife and stepdaughters the best surprise ever!
Dontez and Myshella Burton met about seven years ago through a dating site called Plenty of Fish. At the time, Myshella’s two children, Abigail and Natalie, were only 1 and 2 years old.
Because they were so young, Dontez has always been like a father to the girls. That’s why, when the couple was finally able to get married in 2021, Dontez knew he had to do something special for Abigail and Natalie. After some brainstorming, he came up with the best idea: an adoption proposal.
The dad didn’t want to simply ask Abigail and Natalie if he could adopt them; he wanted it to be extra special and a total surprise — and he absolutely delivered!
First, Dontez talked over the idea with his coworkers, who agreed his plan was perfect. Next, he secretly wrote vows for 9-year-old Abigail and 8-year-old Natalie so he could read them aloud during the ceremony. Finally, he didn’t tell anyone else about his plan until the wedding rehearsal. Even then, he only told the officiant.
“Just the thought of me writing the vows for them, it made me want to tear up,” he said. “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.'”
As Dontez began to go off script during the ceremony, the wedding party became visibly confused. That confusion quickly turned into an emotional realization!
“Myshella was really shocked, but she was happy and just thankful for me stepping up,” Dontez said. “She was really happy that I feel that way for them and said she’s grateful to have me in their lives.”
In his emotional speech, Dontez recalled when he first met Abigail and Natalie before going on to explain all the ways they have made a positive impact on his life.
“I never knew you really do become a man when you have children,” he said. “Having someone to teach, protect and provide for them, discipline them, learn from them, and support them. For all of those reasons, you have helped me become a better person. I know that I’m a father figure to you both.”
As Dontez continued to speak, it became clear to the girls what he was doing. Before he could even get to the question, one of them was already crying.
In the same moment he got down on one knee to officially ask if he could adopt them, his precious daughters were already saying “yes” and hugging him as tightly as they could.
“Although they are not biologically mine, blood could not make us any closer,” he said.
What a beautiful scene! Watch the emotional proposal play out in the video below, and don’t forget to share this story to spread the love.
