For Ryan Estep, a man who had to pick up the pieces after being tragically paralyzed to go on and compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games, when asked what he considers his greatest accomplishment, the Louisiana native doesn’t hesitate.
Mac, a mutual friend, introduced Ryan to the love of his life, a lovely woman named Chandler. And within no time, the two knew they were soulmates destined to be together.
In celebration of their first dating anniversary, Ryan put together a trip to visit Five Point Mountain. But, he also had a secret plan.
Ryan packed a beautiful engagement ring in his luggage.
Then on June 5, on their wedding day, Ryan planned another big surprise for his bride. To pull it off, he would need the help of two of his closest friends.
After the couple exchanged their nuptials at the Bliss Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada, it was time for the traditional first dance between husband and wife.
With the help of his friends, Ryan found a brilliant way to stand and embrace his new bride in his arms.
The moment he stood and walked toward her was priceless.
In the years after Ryan’s life-changing accident, he took on every new challenge with determination and a sense of purpose to turn his life around after he became paralyzed.
Ryan now says the incident served as “a strong wake-up call” that forced him to leave behind his days of being a football captain to transfer his energy into learning to fence and eventually competing in the 2012 Paralympic Games.
But, the most important lesson for Ryan was learning how to treat people and value them in a way he never thought to do before. Ryan’s also a motivational speaker who says that your mindset can either hold you back or propel you forward.
And now that he’s a married man, Ryan shared how he and Chandler plan to raise “a couple little athletes.”
What he loves most about Chandler is her boundless sense of compassion. And when she was asked about her husband, Chandler said he’s “the greatest man” she’s ever known.
She also offered others a wise piece of advice: “Accept the unexpected and embrace happiness.”
You can watch the heartwarming moment that had everyone in tears in the video below.
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