One of the highlights of any traditional wedding reception is watching a father’s first dance with his newlywed daughter. But for Julia McDonald, she reserved that dance for her mom.
Julia calls her mother her “best friend” and “hero,” and it’s easy to see why. Sheila Rossi raised Julia as a single mother – which is impressive on its own, but she did so all while battling cystic fibrosis. Understandably, the two developed an especially close bond. The disease can leave her short of breath, but she wouldn’t let that hold her back from sharing the special dance with her daughter.
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In the weeks leading up to the July 8 nuptials, Julia and Sheila practiced their choreographed routine until they had it down pat. While the exertion meant Mom often had to take breaks to hook up to her oxygen tank, as soon as she was able, “we would start from the top and just keep running through it,”Julia told HuffPost.
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Not even the groom, Peter Narsasian, knew what was coming when Carrie Underwood’s emotional ballad, “Mama’s Song,” began drifting out of the speakers.
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After the two began to slowly sway to the song, it suddenly changed into the rhythmic, hip-hop tempo of Flo Rida’s “Cake.” Oh no. A massive audio fail?
Nope. That was just their cue!
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Julia’s grandmother even made a short appearance!
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Julia says her mother is “the strongest, coolest, most positive person in the world who uplifts everyone around her.” She’s constantly in awe of the strength and grit her mom has shown, not only during the dance but throughout her life. Despite having to juggle medical appointments and treatments, multiple medications, and hospital stays, Julia says her mom is the best in the world.
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Watch their impressive performance below.
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