The father-daughter dance is a tradition in a whole lot of schools, and this 8-year-old little girl definitely looked forward to sharing that beautiful moment with her father.
She never thought that she wouldn’t be able to go. Tragically, her dad passed away shortly before.
Schools around the country recognize that a lot of kids feel left out because they don’t have a father or because their dad passed away, but the dance is also allowed for volunteers.
One of those volunteer escorts was police officer Nick Harvey, who is the Van Buren school resource officer as well. Before he decided to invite the little girl, Avey Cox, to the daddy-daughter dance, he asked her mom if she would appreciate the gesture.
“I reached out to the mother, [she] said it was okay… Because the last thing I want to do is get rejected by a second grader,” he said to 5 News. “So her mom talked to her about it and the next day I formally asked her if she would be my date to the daddy-daughter dance.”
The Arkansas police officer and the little girl were invited by the news station to share their heartwarming moment together, and you can just tell that it means a lot to both of them – even if it seems like a small gesture.
Other parents and volunteers alike made sure that this night would be one to remember, and Avey and Officer Harvey carefully coordinated their outfit and plans together.
Of course, their outfits had to match well together, and the pair also took a whole lot of pictures to look back on when Avey’s older. And arriving at the dance night? These two know how to do it in style. They rode a limousine to the event, but not before stopping over for some delicious pizza.
“It meant a lot because I actually got to go and see all my friends there,” Avey said while looking at Officer Harvey with a smile. “And then, I got to go with him and have a lot of fun.”
This particular moment in the interview is just so heartwarming and touching.
Officer Harvey won’t forget this special night either, as it was filled with funny moments and memories to keep forever.
“I embarrassed myself a little bit and danced when I can’t dance at all,” the police officer said with a grin.
The little girl then jumped right in. “Me and him dancing…”, she joked before she started fake crying.
The two then embraced in a hug in what can only be described as an absolutely sweet moment and the start of a special friendship. It’s important that this little girl, who tragically lost her father, has people in her life to look up to and who can help her.
When the dance night was over, the entire group went out to grab some ice cream.
The ride back home was just as cool – Avey was escorted in a police car!
This night truly meant the world for this little girl, and you can tell that Officer Harvey was touched by this kind girl and her tragic story. What may seem like a small gesture can actually go a very, very long way for this girl.
Be sure to check out some heartwarming footage in the video below.
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