A Very Special Night To Shine (A Valentine’s Story)

February 14, 2021

It’s been a special friendship and a love for each other since elementary school for Bryant McDonald and Hannah Hardy, and Friday night was their “night to shine”.

A Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation for people with special needs. The program looked a little different this year due to the pandemic as people across the world honored and served those with disabilities.

And it was an perfect night for Bryant, a 19-year old senior at Tate High School, and his girlfriend Hannah as they were named prom king and queen.

For a photo gallery, click here.

“Hannah made sure last night was planned to a ‘T’. She asked Bryant to pick out which dress he liked the best on her,” Bryant’s mother Tracey McDonald said. “They exchanged boutonniere and corsage, had Chick-fil-A, and she even picked out his tie. She chose the tie with X’s and O’s for hugs and kisses.”

Those that attended the Pensacola area event were invited to a drive-thru parade in Gulf Breeze. Despite the weather, there were costumed characters and plenty of people cheering them on and wishing them all a fabulous night.

“I liked when Elsa (from Frozen) blew snow all over us. She tried to freeze us,” Bryant said.

“They were treated like royalty and had the biggest smiles on their faces and giggles and laughter filled the car,” Tracey said.

And what’s a prom without a dance?

Hannah and Bryant had their own at-home prom dance.

Bryant said his favorite part of the date was “when Hannah and I danced the Cha-Cha Slide together at home,” and Hannah said she loved dancing with Bryant, her ‘Sugar Bear”, in his stand-up walker.

It was a Night to Shine for Bryant and Hannah.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Pictured: Bryant McDonald and Hannah Hardy’s Night to Shine prom date. (The first photo below was Hannah’s favorite.) Photos courtesy Beth Lees and Tracey McDonald for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

26 Responses to “A Very Special Night To Shine (A Valentine’s Story)”

  1. A Class of 80 Aggie on February 16th, 2021 8:34 am

    What a wonderful and special night shared by two hearts! Thank you for bringing tears of happiness to my eyes. May you both enjoy a long life together in love, health and happiness!!!

  2. CindyBo on February 15th, 2021 8:12 pm

    Such a beautiful and heart warming story. Hannah you are beautiful and Bryant what a handsome young man! Bless your parents and everyone that helped put your amazing night together. God Bless you all!!

  3. David on February 15th, 2021 11:44 am

    Really love this!!!!!
    So wonderful

  4. Stewart Chapman on February 15th, 2021 9:23 am

    What a special day for them. True love at total display.

  5. Todd on February 14th, 2021 8:09 pm

    This is such a wonderful joy to read about. I have a son with SMA that is wheelchair bound, and I have many sleepless nights worrying if he will find love with such physical restrictions. This couple adds more hope for his future. God truly is great.

  6. Jennifer Campbell on February 14th, 2021 7:28 pm

    Bryant and Hannah are two precious souls totally blessed by the Mc Donald family. God is so good. Their pictures together really makes my heart melt and shows how unconditional love can be! What a joy! Congratulations Bryant and Hannah. ❤

  7. Renee Khatena on February 14th, 2021 7:21 pm

    Hannah is a beautiful & sweet girl. She is always so happy & bright! I have the pleasure of working with her @ Longleaf elementary. I am so happy that her special night was so amazing!!

  8. Janine on February 14th, 2021 6:48 pm

    How wonderful. You guys look so beautiful and handsome. I love your dress too. Just beautiful.

  9. Carol Nimrod on February 14th, 2021 5:25 pm

    Wow! Hannah, you and Bryant both look awesome! I’m so very glad you had this special night of celebration!

  10. Carol Nimrod on February 14th, 2021 5:23 pm

    Wow! What a beautiful couple!

  11. Sharon Miller on February 14th, 2021 4:32 pm

    PaPa Jerald and MiMi are so proud of you and we think you are beautiful. We love you too. You sure have a cute friend…

  12. Lakina Jones on February 14th, 2021 2:12 pm

    Congratulations !!! Hannah is such a sweet young lady. I love her !! This makes my heart melt.

  13. Jennifer on February 14th, 2021 1:42 pm

    Such a precious article. Congratulations❤️ We love Hannah!! An amazing girl

  14. Melanie Hendrix on February 14th, 2021 12:29 pm

    Love these two!!! Great kids from great families!!!

  15. Tumom on February 14th, 2021 12:08 pm

    What a beautiful couple!!!

  16. Jenni Harmon on February 14th, 2021 11:13 am

    We sure missed Night to Shine this year, but I’m glad these two were able to make it happen! Awesome parents, and AWESOME KIDS! This is exactly what we all need to be reading about! Love this!

  17. Liz on February 14th, 2021 9:59 am

    Thank you, Hannah Hardy, for making this night so magical. Bryant is very special to me and you made him smile and brought laughter to his day. You are such an inspiration and beautiful person. We need a world full of you. God bless you as you move forward in life.

  18. Tracey, Bryant's mom on February 14th, 2021 9:57 am

    Thank you so much for asking to share their love story! I hope it touches many hearts and people see a love that is unconditional. We give God praise for their lives and love for one another. I pray he uses them and us to show His love for us.

  19. Wendell on February 14th, 2021 9:44 am

    That is a beautiful valentine story I would like to thank both of them for sharing it with us there’s a Lotta good people out there and I just met two of them thanks again happy Valentine’s Day

  20. Chi Chi on February 14th, 2021 9:19 am

    What a up lifting story to come out if darkness. This inspires me & hopefully my entire family. God bless & the world can learn something from These 2 beautiful souls!

  21. MAH on February 14th, 2021 8:22 am

    What an uplifting story. Looks like they had an awesome time. We need more stories like this in the news.

  22. Fred Pope on February 14th, 2021 8:03 am

    Bless their hearts!!! Brought tears to this old man’s eyes.

  23. EMD on February 14th, 2021 7:36 am

    That is so precious. What a beautiful memory they will have. Beautiful couple.

  24. Steve on February 14th, 2021 6:24 am

    Your not going to find a sweeter young lady than Hannah. If the world had her heart than it would be a much better place.

  25. Mary Baldwin on February 14th, 2021 4:54 am

    Congratulations to you both
    What a awesome looking couple…. Looks like you 2 had a lovely time….again congratulations xoxo

  26. Robert on February 14th, 2021 2:26 am

    How beautiful this is.