Despite their young ages, 18-year-old Kaylee Suders and her 19-year-old boyfriend Carter Brown had already started planning for their future.
They’d been together for over a year and even though Carter went to college in another city, it had already been decided that he would be escorting Kaylee to her prom.
However, just a short time before said prom, things took a turn for the tragic.
Carter’s accident
Just a month before the dance, Carter was on his way home to surprise Kaylee when his car ended up on the wrong side of the road and he collided head on with two other cars. The accident was so severe that Carter died on the spot.
When Carter’s father, Robert, heard that Kaylee was no longer planning on going to the prom, he knew he had to intervene.
She was still a daughter in his eyes – it hurt him to see her in pain.
Posted by Carter Brown on Tuesday, August 29, 2017
“My son was a sweet, caring kid, and Kaylee is very sweet, too, and she is a part of our family,” he said, as per Centre Daily. “When the passing topic of prom came up, I kept thinking my son would want her to go. That prompted me to get the ball rolling.”
After getting permission from the school, Robert approached Kaylee to ask if it would be okay for him to escort her to the dance in his son’s place.
Posted by Carter Brown on Sunday, April 30, 2017
After hearing Robert’s proposal, Kaylee was so moved that she decided to attend the prom after all.
“I was kind of surprised before he asked me, and it was really, really heartwarming,” she said. “I didn’t have to think about it. I definitely said ‘yes.’ It was so great of him to ask me.”
A memorable evening
Kaylee had already cancelled the dress she’d asked a tailor to work on, but fortunately there was still time to get it ready.
Carter’s family wanted the evening to be as memorable and special as possible, and therefore planned things down to the smallest detail.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2155805244651444&set=a.1377475329151110.1073741825.100006659673271&type=3
They first drove Carter’s car, then had dinner at the restaurant where Carter and Kaylee had enjoyed their first date. They then took pre-prom pictures of Kaylee and Carter’s dad holding pictures of Carter.
It was a big day for both Kaylee and Carter’s family, who lost another son just seven months before Carter’s accident.
“Life will have all kinds of curve balls that you can’t control. You have to have strength and courage to move forward. We lost two of our children. Our circumstance happened that way. You just learn to be able to go on and live for and care for everyone you still have with you,” Robert said.
Posted by Kaylee Suders on Monday, May 21, 2018
It’s incredible that Robert and his family are able to continue, having suffered two tragic losses in such a short space of time.
Feel free to share this story with your friends on Facebook to show you believe in the power of HOPE!
