Growing up in a broken home is tough for any kid. But what’s even more challenging is when one of your parents starts a new family and you feel like an outsider. Finding a sense of belonging becomes a constant struggle.

When Grace Miller's parents got divorced and her father found a new wife and two new daughters she felt forgotten. However after her dad skipped her dance recital and went to Disney with his new family it was the final straw for the young girl. Luckily her Grandma June was around to teach him a valuable and expensive lesson.

Nine-year-old Grace Miller lived in Sarasota Florida with her mom Josie. In many ways she was just like any other nine-year-old. She loved school playing with her dolls and dancing.

However Grace faced many challenges that a lot of children her age had never experienced. Her parents divorced when she was seven and it had been traumatic for the whole family. She had no idea that things were about to get even worse.

Grace’s dad Frank left after the breakdown of his marriage to Josie. They tried to make it work for the sake of their daughter but fought constantly. In the end they both decided that the best thing for everyone would be to separate.

Initially Frank and Josie remained on good terms and shared custody of Grace between them. However Josie never suspected that Frank had another motive for leaving his family behind.

It wasn’t long before Frank moved in with a new partner. Josie later found out he’d been cheating on her for months before the divorce with a woman from his office called Amber. Amber had two daughters of her own aged six and 10.

Frank was preoccupied with his new family and there wasn’t space for Grace to go and stay with them. He loved being a father to his new daughters and put thoughts of his failed marriage out of his mind. While he tried not to worry about how much he was hurting his first child he couldn't have known the negative effect his life was having on her.

Over the next two years Grace saw her father less and less often. Amber didn’t like Frank spending time with his old family and she never invited Grace to spend time with her and her daughters. He felt a little uneasy about neglecting his daughter but he didn’t fight it.

Josie hated to see Grace’s face fall every time her dad canceled plans with her. She could see how rejected the young girl felt but her relationship with Frank had completely disintegrated since finding out about the affair. She felt they were better off without him. However she didn’t realize how much Grace missed her dad.

Even though Grace saw little of her father she spent a lot of time with his mom her Grandma June. June loved Josie and Grace and was devastated when the family separated. She worked hard to make sure nothing would come in the way of her relationship with her granddaughter.

Grace went to Grandma June’s some nights after school when Josie was working late. The dedicated grandmother always made Grace feel special and loved. It wouldn’t be long before she had to make some hard choices to do what was right.

Grace’s favorite thing in the world was ballet. She’d been attending classes since she was just four years old and she was a very talented young dancer. When Grace was dancing she could forget everything that made her sad and just focus on the movement.

June loved to see Grace dance and she always made sure to attend her performances. However what the young girl longed for most of all was for her whole family to come and watch her dance together—her grandma her mom AND her dad. It felt like an impossible dream.

Grace had a ballet recital coming up in a few weeks. Her whole ballet school was going to showcase everything they’d been working on that term and Grace had her first solo. In her best handwriting she carefully wrote an invitation to her dad. She was desperate for him to come and watch her and June encouraged him to accept the invite.

Grace was over the moon when she heard he had agreed to come. He hadn’t watched her dance since he’d left. She wanted everything to be perfect. Little did she know that would be easier said than done.

For the next weeks Grace practiced harder than ever before. The nine-year-old girl felt that if she could dance well enough then her dad might decide that he did want to be in her life. She knew he loved his new daughters more but neither of them could dance.

This was her chance to prove to him that she could be a daughter he could be proud of too. June was worried. She knew Frank had let her down before. But she just hoped this time he would follow through and stick to his word. However she was about to be disappointed yet again.

A few days before the recital when Grace was at Grandma June’s after school the phone rang. She answered it politely and was thrilled to hear her dad’s voice on the other end of the line.

“Hi Gracie how are you doing?” he asked. Grace started talking excitedly but Frank interrupted her. “Bad news—sorry sweetie but I can't go to your dance recital” he said. Grace froze. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. But what he said next was about to tear her world apart.

“I'm going to Disney World with Amber and the girls. And the only dates we could book clashed with your recital. I’ll catch the next one I promise” Frank continued. Grace felt her eyes fill with tears.

“What? But you promised!” she said in a small voice. “I know I know but it just didn’t work out this time that’s all. It’s not such a big deal is it? You can be a big girl for Daddy can’t you?” he said. Grace took a deep breath as tears started spilling down her cheeks. All that preparation had been for nothing.

Frank could hear his daughter was upset. “I’m sorry honey but there’s nothing I could have done. It’s hard for Amber to get days off and the dates just didn’t work. Of course I’d invite you to come along but you wouldn’t want to miss your dance recital now would you?” he went on.

Grace knew in her heart that he would never have invited her to Disney World with his new family anyway. She started to reply when Grandma June stormed into the room. She had been waiting by the door and had heard everything on speakerphone.

June grabbed the phone and told Grace to go and play in the lounge. “You're ditching your daughter for that trip?” she hissed. “It's not a big deal Mom. She'll understand” Frank replied.

“No she won't And neither will I. You're facing the consequences for this Frank. It’s time you stood up and took responsibility for your daughter. You’re going to regret it if you don’t” said June firmly. June heard the dial tone. Her son had hung up on her. She wasn’t going to let this stand.

After the phone call June gave Grace a big hug. She hated to see her granddaughter so disappointed. She watched her slowly unlace her ballet slippers and sink onto the sofa in front of some cartoons.

June couldn’t bear that her son was treating his child so badly. She needed to take matters into her own hands and make Frank realize how lucky he was to have a daughter who loved him. Plus she wanted to give Grace a special treat.

Once she made a few phone calls June set her plan in action. She called Frank to explain to him what she had done. “Frank you’re not going to Disney World and you will be coming to Gracie’s dance recital do you hear me?” she said sharply. “What do you mean?” he replied.

“I've canceled your tickets and I’m taking your daughter to Disney World instead. That means you can come to the show and she can have the magical holiday she deserves after all you’ve put her through” she explained. But Frank wasn’t about to just accept June’s actions without putting up a fight.

When Frank reluctantly explained to Amber what June had done she was furious. She couldn’t believe her meddlesome mother-in-law was prioritizing Frank’s ex-wife and daughter rather than his new family—his real family.

“How could you have let this happen Frank? No way are you going to that little brat’s dance recital now. They’re manipulating you!” she said venomously. Frank tried to calm his wife down but he couldn’t help feeling a little annoyed by her attack against Grace. However Amber usually got her way and this instance wasn’t going to be any different.

The day of the recital arrived and Grace was feeling nervous. She knew that her grandmother had canceled the tickets and she was hopeful that her dad might come to the show in the end. She was determined to dance as best she could just in case he showed up.

If he wasn’t going to Disney World then there was no reason why he wouldn’t come. Grace took some deep breaths and stretched. It was time to forget her worries and lose herself in the music. But this time she found it harder to focus than usual.

When the time for her solo came she stared out into the audience. She caught sight of her mom and her grandma and the other moms and dads of her friends at dance school. Her dad was nowhere to be seen.

Try as she might Grace struggled to perform her all her heart heavy with disappointment. June and Josie applauded heartily but the young girl knew she hadn’t danced as well as she knew she could. What was the point?

After the show Josie drove Grace home. She was furious with her ex-husband for letting down his daughter once again. She tried to reassure Grace that her dancing had been wonderful and remind her that she had enjoyed doing it and that’s what mattered but Grace was inconsolable.

She felt worthless and rejected. Not only had he not showed up at her most important performance ever but she had inadvertently ruined her dad’s trip to Disney World and now he was even less likely to want to see her. She didn’t know that Grandma June had a special surprise planned for the very next day.

Grandma June arrived to collect Grace early the next morning. Josie had secretly packed a bag for her and the young girl had no idea where she was about to be taken. “Grace honey I decided that since you’ve been so good and we’re all so proud of you you deserved a little treat. That’s why I’m taking you to DISNEY WORLD!” June announced happily.

Grace shrieked with excitement and jumped up and down. Her mom and her grandma were delighted to see her so happy after she’d been so down. They didn’t know the trip was going to be a life-changing experience for all of them.

The first day at Disney World was a great success. Grace loved the rides watching the parade and meeting the characters. She spent the whole day with a big smile on her face. Grandma June was patient in the long queues and bought her granddaughter burgers pretzels or cupcakes any time she needed to refuel.

But Grace’s very favorite Disney character was Belle from Beauty and the Beast and although they looked out for her all day they didn’t spot her. They went back to the resort hotel that night both exhausted ready to get a good night’s sleep before day two. They didn't know the best surprise was yet to come.

However when they were both tucked into their beds June heard her granddaughter sniffling. She switched on the light to see Grace sitting up in bed tears in her eyes. “Oh Grace what’s the matter sweetie?” she asked worriedly.

“I’m having a great time Grandma June” she said tearfully. “But I just feel so guilty that Daddy couldn’t come here and it’s all my fault and now he’ll hate me forever” she continued. June held her tightly and rocked her. “Don’t be so silly my girl it’s not your fault and your daddy will come to his senses soon enough you’ll see” Grandma June said.

The next day June and Grace went early hoping to avoid the big queues and found themselves with the Magic Kingdom all to themselves. Grace began to dance pirouetting and leaping all over the colorful paved streets.

Suddenly she gave a huge gasp. A beautiful woman in a yellow dress was walking towards them. It was Belle the princess Grace had been dying to meet. Belle smiled and gave Grace a little wave. “Well hello young ballerina! It’s a pleasure to meet you” she said brightly.

Grace was overcome with excitement and she couldn’t find her words but Grandma June greeted Belle. “Hi there Belle. We’re just so excited to meet you my granddaughter Grace is your biggest fan. She’s had a bit of a hard time lately and it just means so much to her to see you” she said.

“Well since you’re such a talented dancer Grace how would you like to join us on the morning parade? You can dance with me and the tea cups” Belle said. Grace nodded her eyes sparkling. It was a dream come true.

Half an hour later Grace was decked out in a teacup costume and ready to dance her way around the park. She couldn’t believe it was really happening but Grandma June squeezed her hand tightly.

As they started snaking their way through the streets the other visitors clapped and waved and took photos while Grace danced her heart out. It didn’t matter that she didn’t know the exact steps—she picked them up as they went along. This time Grace really could lose herself in the music and she felt happier than she had in weeks. There was only one thing that would be the cherry on top of the cake.

As Grace danced she scanned the crowds excited to see how many people were watching her. As she twirled around she caught sight of a familiar face. She continued twirling telling herself it was just someone who looked like him.

But as the parade moved nearer she saw his face break into a wide grin and he held out his arms. Grace faltered. Why would her dad be here? Was she imagining things? But then he called out her name and waved furiously. Grace broke free of the parade and started running towards him.

“Daddy!” she cried “What are you doing here?” “I’m here to see you sweetie” he replied catching her in his arms. “Although I didn’t realize you’d already been talent-spotted!” he continued. Grace wriggled happily.

“Listen honey I’m so sorry. These last few years I’ve been sleepwalking. I’ve let you down again and again and this time I realized how stupid I was being” he said. June was watching him warily next to them in the crowd. She didn’t want her son to try and make things right only to abandon his daughter again. However something seemed different.

Later when they all sat down for lunch Frank explained. “After you canceled our tickets Mom I was angry. Amber was furious. But then I asked myself why I was neglecting my Gracie for no good reason and we talked things through” he began.

“I am going to show up Grace. I am going to be there for you whenever you need me and that’s a promise. Don’t worry about Amber and the girls—I’ve told her exactly how it’s going to be and she’s on board. I realized that I can be a dad to all my daughters” he continued.

Frank spent the last two days at Disney World with Grace and June and they had a wonderful time. Grace couldn’t help worrying that it would all end after they left the Magic Kingdom but Frank stayed true to his word.

Josie was also hesitant to allow him back into their lives but he was willing to agree to her terms and he never went back on his word. June Josie and Grace were hopeful that this was a fresh start—a second chance for Frank to be a good dad.

When Grace found out that her dad was ditching her dance recital in favor of a trip to Disney World with his new family she felt like her world was crumbling around her. However with a little help from Grandma June Grace’s dad soon realized that he needed to change his ways.

We’re glad that not only did Grace get to dance in the Disney parade but she also got to mend her relationship with her dad. We hope Frank keeps showing up and proving to Grace that he cares for her just as much as his new family. She deserves all the love in the world.