Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. gave 18-year-old Aubrey Bridges the surprise of a lifetime when he became her date for her prom at North Gaston High School in Dallas, N.C.
Aubrey was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. A year later, doctors found she had a Vein of Galen Malformation in her brain, which is a type of aneurysm. Aubrey is very high-functioning, but has always struggled with communication.
But that didn’t stop her from dreaming big of a NFL superstar prom date.
With the help of Dream On 3, a non-profit charity organization that aims to make sports dreams come true for special needs children, Smith learned about Aubrey’s dream of going with him to prom and began working to make it a reality.
“The second we asked him if he wanted to participate, he said he wanted to ask her himself, that it was the guy’s job to ask the girl," said Dream On 3 founder Brandon Lindsey. "He was in from the beginning, just because he wanted to be. He was fantastic,”
“He’s been that way the entire time. He jumped on the opportunity to do it. He’s got a passion for kids and it’s just fun to see him be excited to be a part of this.”
When asked why he made the trip, Smith simply said he wanted to make Aubrey’s night special.
“All these obstacles that she has been through, the high expectations her family has put on her. The fact she has met them all," Smith said. "That’s how we should know her. That’s the label I think she deserves: 'Aubrey, the girl who has overcome the challenges.' Not 'Aubrey, the autistic girl.'"
Not only did Smith show up in a massive hummer limousine, he even stopped by the Bridges’ house early — alone and without any cameras for publicity — to surprise Aubrey with a pair of diamond earrings and a necklace.
Aubrey’s dreamy prom night went off without a hitch, and she was even crowned prom queen by her peers.
Talk about your Cinderella moment!
Watch the video below for footage of Aubrey’s amazing prom night: