He's not the bride's father, but he's the next best thing.

Arthur Thomas walked Jeni Septien down the aisle at her recent wedding in Swissvale, Pa. because Thomas got Septien's father's heart after he was murdered 10 years ago.

Septien and her family have been in contact with Thomas since he got the heart back in 2006, but they never met in person until one day before her wedding after she had written him a letter asking if he'd walk her down the aisle.

Thomas, who was days away from death himself when the transplant occurred, happily traveled from New Jersey for the occasion. “What a greater honor could a person have than walking the daughter of the man who’s given his heart to him. I can’t imagine a greater honor,” he said.

Jeni was also moved by Thomas taking part in her big day. “I was just so thankful that my dad could be here with us today in spirit and a piece of his physical being as well. That was really special for us,” she said.

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