She Changed Her Big Day To Grant her Father His Dying Wish

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She Changed Her Big Day To Grant her Father His Dying Wish

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It's every little girl's dream to have her father walk her down the aisle, but for one California woman, she didn't know if hers would be possible.

Vieneese Stanton was planning to marry her husband, Douglas Stanton in April 2018, until she found out her 64-year-old father, Preston Rolan was diagnosed with cancer in February.

"My dad has acute leukemia ... [doctors] were constantly giving us negative reports about my dad's health so my fiancé - who's now my husband - and I really wanted my dad to be a part of [the wedding]," Vieneese told PEOPLE.

Vieneese Stanton and Preston Rolan
Vieneese Stanton

Sadly, despite a courageous battle, Rolan would be told his disease was terminal. When Vieneese found out, she knew she had rework her wedding plans for her father's attendance.

"My dad was really excited when we got engaged," she said. "Then to find out he wouldn't make it to our original wedding day was sad for us, so we wanted to speed the process up a little bit."

On Nov. 16, Vieneese and Douglas surprised Rolan by having their wedding at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

Family and friends attended the nuptials, and the nurses decorated the hospital, bought a wedding cake, and even got Rolan a suit.

Preston Rolan is taken by surprise
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"My dad didn't even know we were planning this. I was working alongside the nurses and my bridal party," Vieneese said. "I actually was hiding from him in the hospital! He takes walks around the hospital in the morning so they decided to take him for his walk and then I turned the corner on him."

Preston Rolan walking Vieneese Stanton down the aisle
ED Photography

Vieneese said while her father was shocked by the surprise event, he was thrilled to be a part of her big moment.

"He was completely surprised. He really was about to start crying. He was bragging. He was telling all the nurses, 'This is my daughter. This is my daughter!'" she said.

Douglas, Preston and Vieneese
ED Photography

Now the nuptials are over, Vieneese - who is five months pregnant with a baby girl - is preparing to say goodbye to Rolan for the last time.

"He's someone who always gives me wisdom, he is always making sure I make the right choices," Vieneese said. "I'm definitely going to miss his wisdom over all. He was full of humor, so I will miss laughing with my dad. There's so much about his personality I will definitely miss."

What is one memory you'll always remember about your father?

Maya has been working at Shared for a year. She just begrudgingly spent $200 on a gym membership. Contact her at maya@shared.com