In life, some people have a special place in our hearts. They can be family, friends, or even complete strangers whose love and devotion we will never forget. Such was the case for a bride who wanted some extraordinary men to be a part of her wedding day. It made it a day that she will never forget.
When Ivy Jacobsen was just a teenager, she bravely escaped the hands of her allegedly violently abusive father. She experienced the help of several men who acted as father figures during her life. This included the police officer who put her dad away. She wanted to thank those men for changing her life, so she asked 15 of them to walk her down the aisle during her July 15 wedding celebration. A viral video of the wedding has caught the attention of millions, and we may have had a few tears ourselves.
The outdoor event was beautiful.
Wedding planner Karrah, aka @karrahcreativeevents, shared a video of Jacobsen, 28, walking down the aisle at an outdoor event in Washington state.
“On her wedding day, she asked 15 of the most important men in her life to escort her down the aisle,” Karrah wrote in text on the video clip. “These men included her brother, brother-in-law, childhood coaches, and the police officer who arrested her father.”
The men proudly walked in twos, one on each arm, and escorted Jacobsen partly down the aisle toward her groom, Deputy Sheriff Tristen Jurgensen.
It was a tender moment when she finally reached the end of the aisle.
The officiant asked who gave her away, and all 15 gentlemen gave a resounding, “We do!”
We have to imagine there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. It was a beautiful moment that caught the attention of millions of viewers. Her TikTok has 12.5 million views and continues to grow. The comment section is filled with people who loved the video.
“‘m crying and have the chills ,” a follower wrote.
“I’m in pieces THANKS FOR THAT ,” someone agreed.
“how can a wedding become even more emotional than it already is I am sobbing!!!!” another TikToker added.
Jacobsen shared more on her Instagram account.
The Washington state police officer told TikTokers in a follow-up video shared by Karrah to follow her on Instagram, @srofficerivy, to learn more about her story. Jacobson wrote in the caption of a video from her wedding that she wants to share with followers but is cautious.
“Sharing bits and pieces. Please understand, sharing makes me vulnerable in the aspect of my safety but I refuse to live under a rock!! I pray that sharing with you will give a voice to our silent victims who still need to be rescued,” she explained.
“Wow. Absolutely breathtaking and inspirational. What a strong woman you are! And what a service you are doing, both as an officer for your community, and as a brave young woman who is willing to share her past to help other women. Congratulations on your wedding!!” one comment reads.
“Congratulations, Officer Ivy and Sheriff Tristen ♂️! Thank you for your service to your communities. Thank you also to all the men who stepped up to change a life that in turn has changed hundreds [of] lives ,” another person wrote.
Jacobsen plans to write a book.
In a second video, she explained that she did not want to give her abusive father any power over her. Instead, she honored the 15 men who changed her life and acted as father figures. She said there is so much to her story she would like to share.
“I want to write a book. You are all inspiring me to do this and get it out. I was given this story, yes so horrific, but blessed with this trauma to save others,” she explained. “I want to guide and inspire our silent victims who are in hiding and who still need to get help – this was once me.”
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Jacobsen is working to raise funds to help make her dream of being an author come true.
The police officer shared a GiveSendGo fundraiser to raise money to help cover the expenses of writing a book. At the time of publication, it had raised $1,520 of a $10,000 goal. She said she is overwhelmed by the response to her wedding and felt encouraged to share.
“I hope to reach the silent victims who have not found their voice. I am a survivor of horrific events as a child that could have easily sent me into a downward spiral,” she wrote. “Statistically I should be on the streets but there were many people in my life who stepped up to help a child who was not their own. I would not be here today without my school resource officer (SRO) who protected me, arrested the monster who preyed on me, and inspired me to pursue a career in law enforcement so I could protect and serve our community and our youth.”
“I found you through the video of your wedding that went viral and after seeing what you are doing I was so inspired. (Romans 8:28) I will be praying for you. God bless,” one donor wrote.
“Keeping being a voice for the voiceless. You’re an inspiration,” someone else agreed.
Many can’t wait to follow her journey.
“Good luck with your book. I look forward to reading it!” another comment reads.
