As bride Jennifer Briskin was planning her October 1st wedding, she went down her checklist of who would be part of the wedding party. Maid of honor? Check. Best man? Check. Flower…grandpa? Check.
Briskin knew she wanted her grandfather, Stanley, to have a special role on her big day, because they have always been very close. She told Buzzfeed, “I walk around a nearby park with him every Sunday where we enjoy talking about the stock market, his days as a popular DJ in Savannah, and Fitbit. We have a Fitbit step competition every week which he is very enthusiastic about!”
As she was pondering potential ideas for him, Briskin couldn’t get the hilarious vision of her 85-year-old grandfather throwing flowers like a little child out of her head. She wasn’t sure what his answer would be, but decided to ask him anyway—and he said yes!
Image via Jen Briskin
“He was worried that he wasn’t up for the task, but I assured him that if two-year-olds can do it, he could figure it out,” Briskin said. Still, he practiced with dedication before the big day with a bucket of leaves on the driveway. And yet, when the big day came and he stepped out onto the aisle, Stanley threw the petals at the seated guests instead of at the floor. What was already a surprising and delightful scene turned into a moment of pure joy. “Papa was like a celebrity at the reception,” Briskin said. “Everyone wanted a moment with the man of the hour, and he could not have been more proud of himself. He still enjoys talking about all of the guests’ reaction to his big moment.”
Briskin remarks that she is lucky to have a grandfather who was healthy enough to be present at her wedding. “I am even luckier that he loves me so much that he would go along with my crazy ideas.” Thanks to his youthful heart, his sense of humor, and his willingness to participate, Briskin’s wedding was even more special than she could have imagined. These memories will be passed down for generations, she tells Country Living. “I’m excited that I have pictures and videos to show my children and grandchildren when I recount stories about my amazing grandfather.”
Here’s video footage of “Flower Grandpa” in action:
via [Buzzfeed]
All images via Robin Nathan Photography unless otherwise stated.