Madison Burgess
The daughter of a firefighter who was tragically killed on 9/11 shared a beautiful unexpected moment with her dad's colleagues on her wedding day.
Last week, Kristin Marino tied the knot with her partner Noah Schnacky during a stunning ceremony in New York City - the place she feels closest to her father Kenneth, who lost his life on September 11th, 2001.
He lost his life aged just 40 while fighting the fire at the World Trade Centre, leaving behind his wife Katrina, his little girl Kristin who was just three at the time, and her brother Tyler, who was just one.
Kristin regularly honours her dad on her social media platforms and even told her followers she chose to get married in NYC because it's 'his city and he will be right there' next to her at the wedding.
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However, she wasn't aware of the thoughtful surprise she would get before she walked down the aisle. You can watch the special moment below.
She left her hotel lobby for her big day and was shocked to be met with a line of firefighters from her dad's firehouse, Rescue One, as well as two trucks.
The influencer got emotional at the heartwarming sight, as the group escorted her all the way to the venue where her husband-to-be was waiting at the altar.
Kristin shared a tear-jerking video of the memorable moment to TikTok (@kristin_schnacky), where it has since racked up more than 30million views on the platform.
It showed the bride walking out of the doors and struggling to hold back tears as she saw the men, who she explained were 'new and retired firefighters' from her late dad's workplace.
She wrote on the screen that she 'finally understand why they say it's a brotherhood,' adding: "I know my dad was smiling down knowing I was taken care of."
Kristin ended the clip with: "Thank you for never forgetting FDNY (The New York City Fire Department)" and added in the caption: "I couldn’t hold it in…thank you for honouring my dad FDN."
The TikToker later went into detail over on Instagram, where she shared more bittersweet photos from the day with the group.
She wrote in the caption: "Yesterday I truly understood what it means when firefighters say “its a brotherhood.”
"Firefighters(new & retired) from my dads firehouse Rescue One showed up to my hotel and escorted me all the way to our venue where Noah was waiting at the altar, they stopped their life to be apart of my special day to honor my dad."
Kristin continued: "Walking out of the hotel to see all the firefighters with the 2 trucks instantly made me bawl my eyes out, it truly was symbolism of my dad walking me down the aisle & I know it’s exactly how he would of wanted it, this one is for you dad."
In another Instagram post, Kristin revealed how her grandfather - her dad's father - walked her down the aisle.
Alongside a video of the special moment, she quipped: "As a girl who lost her dad at a young age, I truthfully never dreamt of my wedding the way girls usually do. The thought of walking down the aisle without my dad would bring me to tears.
"But having my poppy (his dad) walk me down was exactly how it was supposed to be. And I know my dad was there with me the whole time."