Natupad ang pangarap ni Jeni Stepien na maging bahagi pa rin ng kasal niya ang kanyang namayapang ama.
Larawan ng kasiyahan ang mga photos ni Jeni nang ikasal siya sa fiancé—now husband—na si Paul Maenner noong August 2016.
Abot-tenga ang ngiti ni Jeni nang ihatid siya sa altar ng isang father-looking figure, si Arthur Thomas.
Pero hindi si Arthur ang tatay ni Jeni. Nang ikasal siya, 10 years nang patay ang kanyang amang si Michael Stepien.
Ang puso ni Michael ay nai-donate kay Arthur.
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Arthur Tomas (left) is the recipient of the heart of Jeni Stepien's late dad. When Jeni got married, she chose Arthur to walk her down the aisle.
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STORY OF HEART DONATION
Nabaril si Michael sa isang robbery sa Swissvale, Pennsylvania noong 2006.
Matapos ang nangyari, nagdesisyon si Jeni at ang ina nito na i-donate ang puso ni Michael sa isang nangangailangan.
Nanganganib na noon ang buhay ni Arthur na taga-New Jersey.
“I was on death’s door when he was murdered, and I needed a heart or I was going to be dying in the next few days,” kuwento noon ni Arthur sa interview ng KDKA o CBS Pittsburgh.
Matagumpay ang operasyon at simula noon ay nakikipag-ugnayan na si Jeni kay Arthur kahit na malayo sila sa isa’t isa.
“We’ve been talking to him, and writing letters, and calling all long distance,” sabi noon ni Jeni.
Young Jeni with her dad Michael Maenner
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Nang ma-engage si Jeni kay Paul, ang una niyang inisip ay kung sino ang maghahatid sa kanya sa altar.
“When my fiancé proposed, one of the first things I thought of was, ‘But who will walk me down the aisle?’
"I could think of nobody more meaningful than Tom,” ani Jeni sa interview ng Post.
More than willing naman si Arthur na paunlakan ang hiling ni Jeni.
“What a greater honor could a person have than walking the daughter of the man who’s given his heart to him,” kuwento ni Arthur sa interview ng KDKA.
Wala man ang kanyang ama, pakiramdam daw noon ni Jeni ay buo ang kanyang pamilya sa kanyang kasal.
Nakipagkita si Jeni kay Arthur the night before the wedding.
“The whole family is here now. It’s like everybody is here,” sabi ni Jeni noon.
Paul and Jeni after the wedding in 2016
JENI TODAY
Sa kanyang Facebook page, inilarawan ni Jeni ang sarili bilang “Happiest wife, mommy, teacher, and friend!”
Huling in-update ni Jeni ang kanyang profile noong March 10, 2024.
Makikita rin sa latest photos ni Jeni na isa siyang happy wife and devoted mom to her kids.
Jeni and Paul today
Sa Father’s Day post ni Jeni noong June 2022, matutukoy na tila pumanaw na rin si Arthur.
Ipinost ni Jeni ang wedding photo ng moment nang maihatid siya ni Arthur sa puwesto ni Paul sa harap ng altar.
Caption dito ni Jeni: “There are angels among us every day. Extra thankful for my special angel watching over us.
“There is a gentle peace around my heart with each passing year. Life is such a fragile gift, with our unknown time on earth allocated.
“My dad did a lot with the time he was given, but his last deed was his most powerful. Happy Father’s Day, dad.
“Our 15th without being able to tell you in person. Happy Father’s Day Arthur Thomas - we treasure you!!”