Every father of a daughter dreams of the moment of walking their princess down the aisle one day. Seeing their girls growing up and being ready to embark on the adventure called marriage fills fathers’ hearts with joy and overwhelms them with mixed emotions.
Todd Bachman got to experience that bliss as his daughter’s wedding day was there. However, when he walked her down the aisle, he realized something was wrong, something was missing. So he wanted to make things right, and his unorthodox action stunned the guests.
Todd walked to his daughter’s stepfather, reached out his hand, and pulled him down the aisle to walk their daughter Brittany together.
One of the guests who shared the lovely story said, “NOT A DRY EYE at the ceremony..including me! Families are what we make them…make it about your kids and not your ego. Congratulations Todd Bachman on showing your kids what true love really is…love for your children. Please share so that we can spread kindness throughout!”
Before you go to the pictures below, make sure you grab a tissue, this is going to melt your heart.
Some actors identify themselves with the roles they play to an extent that it changes their lives forever. Gary Sinise is definitely one of them. After he landed the role of Lieutenant Dan, a wounded Vietnam veteran, in the award winning film Forrest Gump, Sinise made it his life mission to help as many veterans as possible. Through his Gary Sinise Foundation he changed the lives of a huge number of veterans, defenders, first responders, their families, and those in need.
For his incredible work, Sinise has received many awards. His hard work and generosity have been recognized by the society and the country and I honestly believe that no matter what we do, we can never thank this man enough.
WASHINGTON — Gary Sinise and The Lt. Dan Band perform at the Pentagon. Theevent, sponsored by America Supports You, was in recognition of National Military Appreciation Month. Sinise supports the military through various shows at military bases and has taken three USO sponsored trips to Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2020, this Hollywood hero received yet another recognition and it came in the form of the highest honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Patriot Award.
It was actor Joe Mantegna who presented the award to Sinise. During his speech, he said: “As you all may know, not all heroes are made on the battlefield,” and added: “All I can tell you is knowing this man for as long as I have, for 40 years, his status as a patriot is only equaled by his status as a husband, as a father and as a friend.”
No other person deserves this award more than Lt. Dan.
Gary Sinise, actor and humanitarian, addresses the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore’s 35th Annual Awards Dinner, Arlington, Va., March 21, 2017, after receiving the Legacy of Hope Award for his contributions to service members through volunteering with the USO. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jim Greenhill)
Previously, he was acknowledged by his friends, among which were a number of celebrities, as well veterans Sinise has helped throughout the years.
Emmy award winning actress Kristy McNichol entered the film industry from early age and became famous with the role of tomboy “Buddy” in the hit series “Family” which aired from 1976 until 1980. This role made her a teen star of the era and all eyes were on her.
In fact, Kristy only became an actress because her mother pushed her into it. Her mom wanted to be part of the Hollywood glam herself, but only managed to play an extra in some movies, so she somehow wanted to compensate for her ‘failed’ career through her kids.
After “Family” was over, Kristy’s career was just beginning. She went on to be part of very successful movies, including the box office hit “Little Darlings” with Tatum O’Neal. Other movies Kristy starred in were “Women of Valor”, “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “Two Moon Junction”, as well as the television series “Empty Nest”. She and her brother Jimmy even tried themselves in the music industry, releasing a disco album and the hit song “He’s So Fine.”
However, as fans believed everything was going smooth for their favorite actress, the truth was that Kristy was facing struggles in her personal life. She was having hard time revealing her true sexuality and dated men, including actor and television director Scott Baio whom she got involved with in 1977 and singer and actor Leif Garret.
Fans and magazines speculated that she dated women after that. According to DatingCelebs, Kristy fell in love with actress Ina Liberace during the 80’s and was later associated with Canadian actress Elisabeth Brooks, who sadly passed away at the age of 46 in 1977.
Below is a photo of Kristy and Baio the Sixth Annual People’s Choice Awards, at the Hollywood Paldium, on January 24, 1980.
Kristy had her demons. She had a hard time finishing filming a movie in France and took a year off before she could return on set again. Back then, not much was known of her psychological condition as bipolar disorder wasn’t something medicine was still familiar with back in the day.
Speaking of that experience Kristy told NewsAmomama, “I couldn’t eat, and the whole month I was in France I hardly slept. When I did sleep, I was dreaming strange things. I was crying all the time. My weight dropped down to about 96 lbs. Nonstop anxiety. I was always shaking like a leaf. Freaking out, crying, confused, I didn’t know what was going on.”
Finally, after number of speculations, Kristy spoke openly about her sexuality in 2012. She told her fans and the world that she was married to the love of her life, Martie Allen. And that’s about all we know of Kristy’s private life that she tends to keep it exactly that, private.
We are glad she played all those roles that were part of our lives and wish her only the best. However, we do feel sorry she’s no longer part of the movie industry.
Annette Funicello rose to stardom almost overnight after she became a mouseketeer on the original “Mickey Mouse Club.” Although she was just 12 years old when Walt Disney himself discovered her at a recital, she became an icon adored by millions. All of a sudden, she became every boy’s crush and all the girls wanted to be like her.
Her acting and dancing talent helped her get a 7-year contract with Disney.
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Annette’s smile was so enchanting and energetic, that she soon became a symbol of beauty. She was given her own series titled “Annette” in which she played the role of an orphan girl with the same name who left the country for a big city and went to live with her aunt and uncle.
As she grew older, she starred in a number of films, including a series of Beach Party movies with Frankie Avalon which led to another 7-year contract, this time with American International Pictures.
JAN 30 1975, FEB 24 1993, MAY 14 1995 Annette Funicello – Actress- Wikipedia
Before tying the knot with agent Jack Gilardi, with whom she welcomed three children, Annette dated singer Paul Anka who always spoke of her with much admiration. “Not a malicious thing (was) ever said about her,” the singer said. “All of a sudden, you had this cute-looking, lovely person with a great soul that emerged and stepped out from everyone. Her loveable personality, and her sincerity, people just gravitated to it.”
When her marriage of 18 years ended with divorce, Annette married racehorse trainer Glen Holt with whom she stayed until the rest of her life.
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It was withing the first year of her second marriage that Annette started experiencing health issues which involved dizziness, balance problems, and headaches. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which she tried to hide from everyone for five years. However, her unbalanced movements were related with alcohol use by the media and in order to put a stop to the rumors, she was forced to reveal her diagnosis with the world.
Her life was filmed as a television movie with A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story (1995) co-starring her good friend, Shelley Fabares. Eventually, as the disease progressed, Annette was wheelchair-ridden and went into complete seclusion.
Over time, she lost the ability to speak, but she was never alone in her fight against MS. Her husband never left her side and was there for her every step of the way. “When she got diagnosed … I told her, ‘I will take care of you, and I’ll do everything I can,’” and that’s exactly what Holt did.
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During those 25 years that they were married, he constantly tried to search for a cure for his wife.
“I see changes. And you know to me when you can see some changes like they always say, where there is smoke, there is fire, I see something that is very positive, and it needs to be researched further,” he said after all the surgeries and tests.
Sadly, the actress passed away on April 8, 2013, at the age of 70.
Annette Funicello and husband during Disney Legends Awards at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, United States. (Getty Images)
“Annette was and always will be a cherished member of the Disney family, synonymous with the word Mouseketeer, and a true Disney legend,” Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger said in a statement released regarding Annette’s death.
“She will forever hold a place in our hearts as one of Walt Disney’s brightest stars, delighting an entire generation of baby boomers with her jubilant personality and endless talent.
“Annette was well known for being as beautiful inside as she was on the outside, and she faced her physical challenges with dignity, bravery and grace.”
Annette contributed to the MS research by opening the Annette Funicello Fund for Neurological Disorders at the California Community Foundation in 1992.
Chuck Norris is widely known as one of the best martial artists there are. He has successfully incorporated his martial-arts knowledge into a number of films which brought him recognition as a renowned actor.
However, it seems like that of all of the roles he has played over the years, he’s proudest of the role of a father.
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When he was just 18 years old, Norris married his high-school sweetheart Dianne Kay Holechek, who was 17 at the time they tied the knot. Norris and Holechek were married for 30 years and welcomed two sons together. However, while still married to Holechek, and around a year after their first son was born, Norris had an affair with a woman named Johanna while he was stationed in California in the U.S. Air Force. He never told Johanna that he was married and had no idea she was pregnant with his child until his daughter, Dina DiCiolli, contacted him some 26 years later.
As it turned out, she knew Norris was her father ever since she was 16 as she overheard her mother telling that to someone, but it took her years to gather the courage to send him a letter.
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Norris said he didn’t need a DNA test to know that Dina was indeed his daughter and said he was thankful to Johanna for keeping the child. “There might be illegitimate parents in the world,” the Good Guys Wear Black star wrote in a 2007 Daily Herald article. “I know because I was one, but there are not illegitimate children. God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives.”
When he first saw his daughter after so many years, Norris wrote that he wrapped his arms around her as tears of joy rolled down his face.
Dina is a mother of three, and recently, her daughter Gabi, Norris’ granddaughter, got married and the entire family attended the special event.
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Since 1998, Norris has been married to former model Gena O’Kelley with who she has twins Danielle Kelley and Dakota Alan, born in 2001.
On Father’s Day 2017, the actor wrote on Facebook: “Being a father is one of God’s greatest blessings a man can experience.”
Kristin Chenoweth is a much loved American actress who had her Broadway debut back in 1997 in Steel Pier, winning a Theatre World Award. Ever since, she has enchanted people from all over the country and beyond with both her acting and voice.
Among the rest, Kristin has received a Tony Award for her performance as Sally Brown in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance of Glinda in the musical “Wicked.”
Along with her shining Broadway career, Kristin decided to also pursue a career in film and has since starred in a number of movies. Her television roles include Annabeth Schott in NBC’s The West Wing and Olive Snook on the ABC comedy drama Pushing Daisies, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2009. She also starred in the TV series GCB, as well as in Trial and Error.
Even though my birthday was on Friday, growing up we always celebrated on the 29th! My “gotcha day.” The day my parents adopted me and took me home 💗🎈 So, today, I send my love and eternal gratitude to my mom & dad!! pic.twitter.com/Fg8TYF0qXI
Recently, the 53-year-old actress and singer released a children’s book titled “What Will I Do with My Love Today?” which revolves around a girl named Kristi Dawn who shows that adoption is one of the most beautiful things in life after she meets a lonely dog looking for a forever home.
Speaking of her book during an appearance on the Today show, Kristin spoke of her own adoption. Namely, she was adopted by Junie and Jerry when she was five years old and always speaks with much love and pride of her parents. “My dad always says ‘Man, did we win the lottery’ and I always say ‘No, I won the lottery,’” she revealed on the show.
“It was never a surprise,” she said. “They always said ‘The lady that had you in her belly could not take care of you the way she wanted to, and she loved you so much,’” and added, “This is what my mom said, ‘She gave you life, but we get to give you a life.’”
In October 2021, Kristie got engaged to country music guitarist Josh Bryant and revealed the big news on social media. “Guess you’re stuck with me now, @joshbguitar. I love you and I’m never letting you go. A million times yes!!!” the Broadway star wrote.
Kristie definitely is one of our favorite actresses both because of her great movies and productions and for praising adoption and being forever thankful to her adoptive parents.
“No matter how life has brought us together, adoption means family, and family is forever. We had lots of love in our family before, but with you Thunder pup, we have even more,” she said of her dad. We are certain her parents are proud of her for who she is and for her heart of gold.
Sometimes life can be hard, sometimes you get a curveball and a lot of the time we do hard things to survive. For this one mother, she had to do one of the hardest things imaginable by giving up her baby boy to another family who could provide for him when she couldn’t, how brave!Hannah Mongie and her husband had an awful decision to make when they found out that she was pregnant, what were they going to do? They recorded a youtube video where Hanna explains what they decided and why!
As Hanna speaks you can really hear that the decision was one of the hardest ever, and she did it out of love…FacebookHanna tells her story and explains that she met the father of the baby, called Kaden, back in 2013, then after dating for some time, in 2015 they found out she was pregnant!Hanna says: (To Tagg)
“He loved you so much, from the very, very beginning”
She went for her eight-week checkup and sent a recording of her baby Tagg’s heartbeat to the father, he was delighted!Two more days after this, hearing his son’s heartbeat, Kaden’s heart practically stopped…FacebookHannah said:
“From the day your daddy died, I had a hard time even considering placing you with a different family when you were my last piece of Kaden …But one day, I woke up and I just knew that you were supposed to be with someone else.”
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Hahhan searched to find a suitable couple to adopt him and found Emily and Brad, moving on two weeks again and all the time talking to them and getting to know them, she decided they would be great parents for baby Tagg.
Hannah said:
“Over time, me and your mommy, Emily, became really, really good friends, and she’s one of my best friends now”
Hannah says that the two parents she found for Tagg really love him already…FacebookHanna was so upset, she just kept telling her son over and over how much she loved him, and how much his dad loved him too, then the video ends.Hanna wrote in the video caption:“I hope anyone who watches this will be able to gain a new perspective on what the birth mom goes through when she places her child for adoption. It is the FARTHEST thing from a heartless act. It shows (the) definition of love. To love someone this much is to give away your happiness for them”
Her Situation is really sad, kind and loving too, but such a great shame, Hannah has so much love to give, and Tagg’s birth parents are heartbroken, the one small comfort is that its an open adoption and she can see him regularly!Such a bittersweet lovely but sad moment, it really show’s how parenting is both difficult and carries such responsibility, please if you like this story, SHARE it with friends and family!
The saying goes that there are friends, there is family, and thenthere are friends who become family, and for one very special man who changed the world of entertainment forever, one and only Dean Martin, family was everything.
Born Dino Paul Crocetti on June 7, 1917, in Steubenville, Ohio, to a father who was an Italian immigrant, Dean Martin didn’t speak any English during the first five years of his life. His classmates made fun of his accent and that made Martin shy, a trait that would become part of his character.
“When Jerry Lewis and I were big, we used to go to parties, and everybody thought I was bigheaded and stuck up, and I wasn’t. It was because I didn’t know how to speak good English, so I used to keep my mouth shut,” Martin told Desert in 1967.
“Well, see, I’m shy,” he added. “Always been. See, if I walk into a party, I sort of go in a corner, ’cause I don’t know what to say to people.”
Henry Gris/FPG/Getty Images
When he started performing, Martin didn’t even know how to read music, yet he reached incredible heights and became the best of the best in the showbiz.
At the start of his career, he performed at local restaurants while working as an amateur welterweight fighter at the same time. Eventually, Martin signed his first record deal in 1943 with MCA Records. Two years later, a serendipitous meeting with Jerry Lewis would change his life and career forever.
“I turn, and I see this handsome guy in a camel’s hair coat. You can die from how handsome he was, sporting his new nose,” Lewis recalled meeting Lewis on the street in an interview with Today in 2005.
“And we became very friendly. He looked like he needed a friend, and I certainly did. And that was really the start.”
The two did show after show and reached the top, only the sky was the limit for this incredible duo. However, after being very close for years, and doing music and films together, prior to the tenth anniversary of their first show, Martin and Lewis split.
Some 20 years later, in 1976, they were reunited on stage thanks to their mutual friend Frank Sinatra. And while many found the reunion emotional, People referred to it back then as to “a forced and uncomfortable onstage reunion.”
Martin was also part of the famous “The Rat Pack,” a group of A-list show business friends who met casually at the Los Angeles home of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, along with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford.
They were really close friends who showed their loyalty for one another numerous times.
Harry Langdon/Getty Images
When Dean Martin was invited at JFK’s inauguration as the 35th president of The United States, Martin declined the invitation because his friend whom he considered family, Sammy Davis Jr., was told not to attend. At the time, Davis Jr., got married to May Britt, a white actress, and their interracial relationship caused quite a stir. Apparently, Kennedy was afraid that Davis Jr.’s presence would made people from the Southern states angry, as per the 1989 book Why Me.
Martin wasn’t happy with the news and decided not to attend the inauguration himself in support of his beloved friend.
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A new documentary by Tom Donahue, supported by Martin’s daughter Deana Martin, Dean Martin: King of Cool, speaks about this incident in more depth.
“Sammy Davis Jr. helped to get JFK elected, and then JFK and his campaign decided to pay Sammy back by not allowing him to go to the inauguration because he was part of an interracial marriage,” Donahue told Fox News.
“It was Dean Martin who stood up for his friend and said, ‘I’m not going to be part of the inauguration if Sammy isn’t going.’ That really impressed me. He had a sense of honor. The more I got to know Dean Martin, the man, the more I grew to truly love and admire him.”
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Deana Martin revealed that her late father was “astounded” when he heard his friend Sammy Davis Jr. wasn’t among the guests of JFK.
“He was my uncle Sammy, he came to our house. He was family. So it was pretty remarkable,” she told Fox News.
“My dad was going to take a stand because it was the right thing to do. It didn’t matter what JFK or anyone else was going to think of him. This is Sammy Davis Jr., and that was his friend. And for family to not be invited for those reasons made my father very upset. He just said, ‘It’s not right. I’m not going.’ And that was it. He wouldn’t think about it anymore.”
