Senior prom is something that most students very much look forward to.
But it wasn’t going to be a perfect day for Skylar Fontaine.
While she would’ve loved to spend that moment with her boyfriend, Gage Monk, that just wouldn’t be possible in any way.
Gage, (19) is a United States Marine and was deployed for training.
He was away from home and couldn’t possibly make it to Skylar’s prom.
However, everyone made sure that the young woman would have one of the best and most memorable days of her life.
One person, in particular, made sure of it. Gage’s little brother.
This special occasion was going to be celebrated, and Skylar made sure to pay tribute to her boyfriend by inviting his little brother as her senior prom date.
The two of them even put together an absolutely adorable photoshoot, and the little man is more than happy and proud to represent his brother this way.
It started when Skylar saw a US Marines costume for kids online.
Then, things started rolling from there.
“I had seen a child Marine costume online somewhere, and I thought it was absolutely precious,” Fontaine said to PEOPLE. “I mentioned to his grandmother that it would be a great idea to take some pictures and send to Gage. It came together so perfectly!”
On that special day, Gage’s younger brother Clay was completely dressed up in his own Marines uniform, and it was truly a sight to behold.
He even brought a tuxedo for the prom photoshoot.
The little guy, only two years old at the time, was having an absolute blast, and Skylar definitely enjoyed the whole thing as well.
She posted a couple of pictures of the whole ordeal on Twitter, and it quickly went viral with hundreds of thousands of likes, shares, and retweets.
“My boyfriend is a Marine and isn’t home to take me to my senior prom… so his little brother stepped in and took his place. Needless to say, this girl is so happy <3″ she tweeted.
“I did this for my loving boyfriend who misses his family that he’s been away from for the past 6 months. That’s all I care about. He is missing his little brother grow up. The least I can do is something like this for him, for the sacrifice he is making,” Skylar posted in a follow-up tweet.
They didn’t tell Gage, but decided to keep it a surprise.
His girlfriend simply sent him the prom date photos, and he probably couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw who took his place.
Of course, Skylar still recalls being disappointed that they couldn’t go to senior prom together as a couple, but she was also very respectful and supportive of his service as a US Marine, so she decieded to show her appreciation.
“At first I was upset, but I am willing to deal with the distance and him being away because he is the one who is away from all of his family and making the ultimate sacrifice,” the young lady later told ABC News.
The whole family was in on it. Grandma made sure that the outfits were fitted perfectly, and Skylar’s parents took all the pictures.
According to the brothers’ mom, both of them couldn’t help but smile when they saw the final pictures. One thing is for sure: all three of them will cherish these beautiful moments for a very long time.
“It was his dream to become a Marine, and I will make sure I stand at his side. I’ve been at his side throughout the entire process of him becoming a Marine, and, because of that, we share a special bond,” she added in her interview with PEOPLE.
Our heroes in uniform definitely deserve the utmost praise and respect for their sacrifices for their country, and it’s just heartwarming to see what their loved ones will do to make sure they’re always close to their hearts, no matter how far away they are.
See Skylar’s post below!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
My boyfriend is a Marine and isn’t home to take me to my senior prom… so his little brother stepped in and took his place. Needless to say, this girl is so happy 😍💞 pic.twitter.com/7CT5KT0cYX
— skylar🌼 (@idk_skylar) March 16, 2018
