Parents Surprise Daughter With Grandparents' Long-Lost Vintage Truck For Her Wedding: 'Gift From Heaven'

Feb 14, 2023 by apost team

When bride Marla Rice was planning her wedding to Brantley Rice in 2021, she really wanted a vintage vehicle as part of the perfect backdrop. So, in trying to make her dreams come true to mark this very special occasion, her parents sprung a surprise on her when they tracked down and found one of her grandparents' long-lost vintage trucks from the 1930s. 

Marla has never met her grandparents because they died during the 1977 Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania. However, Marla knew of the stories about Bob and Barbara Selders, who ran a successful kitchen and bath home improvement shop in their small town. She also knew of the family tragedy that her mom, Tracie Aurandt, experienced when she was just 14 years old.  

The amount of rain that fell during the Johnstown Flood happened only once every 1,000 years. Aside from causing $340 million in damages, 84 people perished in this natural calamity, including Bob and Barbara.

Bob was a collector of vintage cars, which were actually spared from the flooding as it was secured in a different building. Following his death, Bob's brother decided to sell these vehicles to secure the future of the three young kids the Selders couple left behind.

After Marla's mother learned she desired to have a vintage vehicle for her wedding, she told her husband, Tim Aurandt, that they had to find one of her father's trucks. Tim runs a car dealership near Pennsylvania and could likely source it out through his network. Even then, he thought he might disappoint his wife and daughter because Bob's vintage car collection was sold to different owners nearly 50 years ago. 

But as luck would have it, and perhaps guided by Bob from heaven, 10 months of search with the help of Tracie's older brother led Tim to Jay Shaffer, one of the current owners of Bob's old truck. He bought the truck 10 years after the flood and has been its owner since then.

Shaffer agreed to lend the vehicle for the wedding and even offered to drive it to the venue. The truck was parked outside the Bedford Springs Resort, where the bride and groom had their photographs taken to mark the unforgettable event.

Tracie's tears flowed as memories of her childhood came rushing back when she saw her father's old truck again. It was restored in its original condition, just like how she remembered.

She and Tim kept this such a big secret that family and friends who were at Marla's wedding were also in tears after seeing the black and green 1931 Model-A Ford truck of the Selders Kitchenette. It was a special piece of family history that no one thought would ever see again.

During his speech, an emotional father of the bride said this was "Marla's first gift from heaven." 

"You got your antique truck, from your grandmother and grandfather." 

Marla was thrilled to feel the presence of her grandparents through the efforts of her parents. Even Brantley was touched, especially after knowing the story behind this vintage vehicle. 

"It brought tears to my eyes," Marla said.

Tracie, on the other hand, was grateful to her husband because he promised her he would pull off this surprise for their daughter, despite the challenges. 

apost.com

Wasn't this a magical wedding for Marla and Brantley Rice? What can you say about the efforts of the bride's parents to fulfill her wishes? Do you know of a similar story? Tell us about it and pass this along to someone who loves a happy tale!