Even those most dedicated to raising up other women might find paying tribute to their groom’s ex on their own wedding day a bit of a stretch.

But one woman took an unusual step when she stood up to say her vows. Instead of turning to her husband-to-be, Jeremy, bride Kate Hild instead addressed his ex-wife. 

In the emotional footage shared by Facebook page Love What Matters, Kate, from Pennsylvania, USA, makes an emotional promise to “respect and love” Casey, her groom’s ex-wife. She also promises to be a good “co-parent” to Landon, the son that Jeremy and Casey share.

Asking Casey to stand up in the audience, Kate tells her, “I want to thank you for accepting me as your friend, and allowing me to be a part of Landon’s life.

“I promise to be an amazing mother to your son,” she continues. “I will guide, teach and love him every single day. I promise to respect, work, listen and communicate together as co-parents. I will love you guys no matter what comes our way, we are one family always.”

She goes onto express her love to Landon, and eventually Jeremy - by which point it’s fair to say there isn’t a dry eye in the house. 

Alongside the video, Kate shares her reasons for including both Casey, and Casey’s partner Tyler, in the speech.

It seems obvious that the relationship shared between both couples is a special one, and Kate accepts that it’s not something that everyone can hope to replicate.

She explains that it all comes down to co-parenting, and working together to give Landon the best possible childhood. 

“Co-parenting means sharing the duties of a child,” she writes. “So, I didn’t tell anyone what I was doing. I not only vowed to Jeremy. I gave a vow to Casey and Tyler.

“I wasn’t just going into a marriage with Jeremy and needed his trust and respect, but I needed Casey’s and Tyler’s, too. One thing I promised, was to be ONE family, always. I know without hesitation, we will never break that promise.”

Kate finishes by urging other co-parents to support each other.

“Not everyone gets the luxury of having a relationship like we formed; but it’s possible to get along, communicate, and give the same rules/love/respect on both sides for your child/children. Go against the norm. BE that CHANGE,” she writes.

Take a look at the video yourself, below. 

Images: iStock / Love What Matters