Human Interest Dad Dances With Daughter After Prom Is Canceled Due to Coronavirus Pandemic Marli Odgers thought prom was canceled — until her father stepped in to make it happen By Jason Hahn Jason Hahn Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. He started at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter in 2017 and interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. He has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 13, 2020 06:51 PM Share Tweet Pin Email A high school senior from Alabama thought there was no hope she would be able to experience prom during the coronavirus outbreak — until her father pulled a surprise to make it happen. In a now-viral Facebook video posted on April 4, high schooler Marli Odgers is seen wearing a sparkling prom dress while dancing with her father, Robby Odgers, to the song “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. “Marli Odgers was supposed to have her senior prom today,” Natalie Rodgers, Marli’s sister, explained on Facebook. “She just thought it was canceled. My sweet dad made her get up and go to prom this morning. Memories we will cherish forever- even in the middle of the chaos and craziness.” The charming moment began when Robby left Marli a note that read, “Today is prom, one dance with dad? Will you go with me?” on a staircase inside their home. He placed the message on top of a garment bag that contained Marli’s dress. “I just began to think what we could do,” Robby told TMX News. “She was very much looking forward to her senior prom, and I just started thinking what we could do to at least… make her think, well — maybe not prom — but a version of prom.” Christ the Redeemer Statue Lights Up as a Doctor to Honor Health Care Workers Fighting Coronavirus “I was really emotional, and I’m not an emotional person,” Marli added. “It’s something I’ll never forget.” Robby said the moment was a memorable one since it was the first time he was able to slow dance with his daughter. “Typically, maybe besides maybe at a party or whatever, until your daughter gets married, you really haven’t danced like that,” he said. “Obviously, that was not a wedding, but probably the closest thing to it in my perspective, to be able to hold your daughter close and dance with her, and have that special feel.” “She just absolutely looked stunned,” he added. As of Monday afternoon, more than 23,000 people in the United States have died from coronavirus, according to the New York Times. People Across the Globe Applaud Health Care Workers for Their Efforts Amid Coronavirus For Marli and Robby, they hope their special moment was able to brighten someone else’s day amid the saddening news. “It was just a positive thing with all these negative things going on in the world right now, and hopefully, it cheered people up as much as it did me,” Marli said. Robby added, “In the world that we’re living in, and all the negativity and all the sickness, and all of that stuff going on, if it cheered somebody up or made somebody happy, if it was just one person, to me it was worth it.” As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments. To help provide doctors and nurses on the front lines with life-saving medical resources, donate to Direct Relief here.