Bride About to Walk Aisle as Music Starts, But First She Has Surprise for Deaf Husband
A couple’s wedding day is one of the most anticipated days in their lives. The special event can be filled with jitters and joy — but for one loving couple, their day was filled with tears.
It was a day to remember for Sydney couple Elizabeth Shoesmith and her new husband Scott.
The wedding was a small and intimate affair and Elizabeth wanted to bring something special to the day, something meaningful for her soon-to-be husband.
Elizabeth and Scott met on the dating app Tinder, 18 months earlier, and had connected instantly. After agreeing on a date, Elizabeth decided to dig around on the internet, trying to find out more about her new crush. She soon discovered that he was deaf.
“Throughout the day, I started to panic,” she said. “I was wondering if he was profoundly deaf. But then I told myself to stop being judgmental and go on the date.”
And it’s a good thing she did. They soon fell in love.
Stephanie said that there were some challenges in the relationship. Communication could be difficult.
“I would have to FaceTime him or send text messages. I learned how to sign language because his lip reading only catches 60 per cent,” said Elizabeth. But their love for one another only grew.
On the day of the wedding, Elizabeth’s teenage son was set to walk her down the aisle. As Scott waited for her to be led to his side, he became confused when they stopped short.
Elizabeth stood at the end of the aisle, ready to give Scott a touching surprise. As the music played, she waited nervously.
The song, A Thousand Years, by Christina Perri, began and Elizabeth’s hands started to move, signing out the words so that Scott could hear.
Scott had never heard the words to a song before. This was the gift that Elizabeth wanted to give to her new husband, and the words were made deeper and more meaningful by the way they were given.
“Even though Scott is deaf, I have never felt more heard in my life,” said Elizabeth. “For every joy he has brought into my life over the last two years, I wanted to surprise him with my entrance.” The two tried to hold it together but soon the emotion of what the song meant, took over.
The guests were also touched by the serenade, though Elizabeth said that she was lost in Scott’s eyes and could only think of him.
For three months Elizabeth had worked to learn Australian Sign Language. The wedding and her gift to her husband will be something to treasure always.
“I got lucky on the day, I didn’t make any mistakes. Everything just came naturally from my heart, and not my head,” said Elizabeth. The couple traveled to Fiji for their honeymoon.
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