4 came through in big way at Father-Daughter Dance for Medina girl

Provided photo – Ten-year-old Marah had four dates for the Father-Daughter Dance on June 4 in Shelby, including from left: Phil Seitzer, her uncle Scott Coleman, grandfather Steve Burgess, and great-grandfather Glenn Burgess.

MEDINA – When the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company held its first-ever Father-Daughter Dance on June 4, a 10-year-old girl from Medina had the most dates – four.

Amy Ritzenthaler of Medina is grateful for the four men who took her daughter, Marah, to the event. Marah’s father was unavailable. She was sad for days leading up to the event when her friends talked about the special dance and the fancy dresses they would be wearing.

Ritzenthaler mentioned the situation to Marah’s great-grandfather and other family members. Several of the men in the family eagerly offered to take her.

Marah walked through the doors of the Shelby Rec Hall with her great-grandfather Glenn Burgess, grandfather Steve Burgess, uncle Scott Coleman and Phil Seitzer, Ritzenthaler’s best friend’s boyfriend.

“I can’t thank those guys enough for coming together,” Ritzenthaler said. “She will remember it for the rest of her life.”

Glenn Burgess, the great-grandfather, was the first to agree to go to the dance. Burgess, 83, was happy to slow-dance with Marah.

“He is one of Marah’s favorite people in the world and he knows that,” Ritzenthaler said. “They enjoy each other.”

The four men either took off from work or switched their plans to go to the dance. They surprised Marah on June 4, who was dressed up for the day thinking she was going to an up-do contest at a cook-out. But then the four men showed up to take her to the dance.

“They all had a great time,” Ritzenthaler said. “It turned out to be a great day.”