All parents treasure the moment that their children take their first steps, but this devoted father has a very special reason for being over the moon when his little girl walks for the first time.

The little girl in this video, whose name is Lawree, was born with a deformed leg that caused doctors to warn her parents that she might never be able to walk. Last month, however, the defiant 1 year-old girl proved them all wrong when she stood up while she was home with her dad Lawrence Bakana in Buffalo, New York.

As soon as Lawree stood up on her feet, Lawrence was so excited that he brought out his phone and started recording. Much to his joy, Lawree started taking tentative steps towards him. The elated dad could not contain his excitement!

“I felt blessed and truly in awe,” Lawrence said afterwards. “There was so much relief and excitement, I can’t even explain it. I started recording when Lawree lifted herself off the floor and just stood there for a whole minute, something she rarely does.”

“I started to record her and encouraged her to come towards me which she did,” he continued. “Eventually she fell because I got overly excited and scared her a little.”

God bless little Lawree, a little girl who is clearly a fighter and is going to do some great things in the years to come!