After Their Dad Passes Away, A Teacher Took These 4 Girls To A Daddy-Daughter Dance

Oct 27, 2018 by apost team

A father from Davidson, Michigan passed away recently, leaving behind his wife and their five children. After their great loss, the family has been surrounded by the support of their community, helping them to handle their grief and begin a new type of life without him.

In early September, Luke Reece was admitted to the hospital. His condition quickly worsened, and he developed blood clots. On September 19, his body succumbed to complications from the clots.

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The community stepped up to support them financially with a GoFundMe page and a fundraiser at a local restaurant. These helped to cover medical and funeral expenses, but the money can’t buy everything, and the community stepped up in impressive ways.

Seven Culbert had taught two of Luke’s daughters, Alivia and Avery, and had kept in touch with the family during their difficulties. He was with them when Luke was first admitted to the hospital, and came to visit with Luke and the rest of the family several times throughout the hospital stay, according to Luke’s wife Shelley.

Shelley gushed that Mr. Culbert is an all around good teacher and good person who is a good role model for all and is always willing to go the extra mile for any of his students.

A Daddy-Daughter dance was announced at the girls’ school while Luke was in the hospital, and Mr. Culbert wanted to be sure that Alivia and Avery didn’t miss out on the fun. Thinking that Luke would be out of commission for a long while, he invited the girls to come to the dance with him and his two daughters in the hope that Luke could accompany them next year.

Unfortunately, Luke passed away weeks before the dance was to take place. Although Avery and Alivia had lost their father, Mr. Culbert made it clear that they hadn’t lost their escort to the daddy-daughter dance.

Not only would the girls be going, but the community rallied together to make sure they would have everything they could want that night, short of bringing back their late father.

The gifts covered everything from brand new dresses for Avery and Alivia to corsages for all four girls and a boutonniere for Mr. Culbert. The day of the dance, they were also gifted a salon experience to help them look their best for the big night.

Avery felt so beautiful that she said she felt like a barbie doll.

Before they left for the dance, they remembered their father in a special moment. They released balloons with their father’s memorial hashtag #BeLikeLuke.

To top off the wonderful gifts they’d received from the community, a limo ride was donated for a glamorous arrival. According to Shelley, all four girls were delighted with the special ride.

When the dance was done, the night was not over. Mr. Culbert finished off the night with his bevy of little beauties by taking them all out for an ice cream treat in their finery.

The only complaint any of the girls could come up with about their fabulous night was that Mr. Culbert should probably work on his dance moves before the next school dance!

Shelley was especially grateful for the wonderful time Mr. Culbert and the community showed her girls. As lovely as the night was, she was most grateful that her children know that, even though their father is gone, they still have people who will always be there for them.

It’s so heartwarming to see the kindness a teacher can show to children who have suffered such a loss. Pass this on to spread the love!