Ohio father surprises his daughter with special wedding dance

AKRON, Ohio (WJW) – A local father surprised his daughter with a special wedding dance and now video from that night has gone viral.

Jim Mickunas says, his phone has been ringing off the hook since he posted the home video on YouTube for family and friends.

"This is unbelievable, too surreal, I never imagine anything like this," said Mickunas.

Planning for the unique twist to that wedding day tradition had been underway for about a year leading up to Saturday's nuptials in Northeast Ohio.

Many people were in on the secret including the bride's then fiancé John Gray and her sister Jamie.

"I just couldn't see dancing with her on the dance floor," said Jim, "That just didn't feel right."

Kandice had always been a bit of 'tomboy' growing up and was active in many sports; often playing baseball, basketball or soccer with her father.

A good girl, says Jim who was also fierce and fearless in her individuality; like deciding to wear a tuxedo to her first communion after getting the priests blessing.

"We said some people may look at you funny because you're not dressed like the other girls and she said 'I don't care, I want to dress like me,'" said Jim.

Jim was determined to honor that spirit, and after slow dancing with Kandice for about 15 seconds during the father-daughter dance he stopped and brought out baseball gloves.

The two then proceeded to play catch to the song Centerfield by John Fogerty, while friends and family cheered.

However the fun was not without any sentimental overtones.

A very choked up Jim told Fox 8 that the most emotional part for him was handing the mitt over to her new husband.

He said, "She was shocked, surprised and said I did good, she said 'I wish I had played catch with you longer.'"

More on AOL:
Sikh man who removed turban to help injured child is rewarded by strangers
Vocabulary test takes away some National Spelling Bee drama
See Kim & Kanye dance at their wedding to John Legend