 I felt lighter.”

STORY: Dad Who Rescued Little Girl During Hurricane Katrina Reunites With Her 10 Years Later

Earlier this year, Maroney’s search for LeShay — and the original photo of the hug they shared — went viral, with the hashtag #FindKatrinaGirl. Last month, LeShay was finally identified. Maroney says he had originally planned a quiet reunion near LeShay’s home in Mississippi, but “so many people thought this moment was for America, that we need this happiness,” that he agreed to a televised reunion. When he arrived at the set of The Real, Maroney says he, LeShay, and her mother, Shawntrell Brown, were all backstage, but he was in a separate dressing room. “I was pacing back and forth, I was nervous, I was excited,” he says. “Think about the night before your wedding — those jitters and excitement and ‘I can’t wait to see them’ feeling — that’s how it felt.”

Before he was taken out on stage, Maroney says, The Real ran a video showing scenes from Katrina, which made him surprisingly emotional. “It was like being right back there,” he says. “I got a little choked up. That’s a side I usually don’t share with people, and I keep a lot of stuff inside — I have a lot of memories I’d rather not think about — so they all started bubbling up.”

Story continues

STORY: Meet Hurricane Katrina’s ‘Youngest Survivor’

Still, when LeShay finally came on stage, Maroney says he felt nothing but joy. “I need something bigger — some supercalifragilisticexpialidocious kind of word — to explain the happiness I felt,” he says. “LeShay represents New Orleans and humanity, and if this family can get through it then there is hope, and that’s what we all need more of in the world right now.”

While he’s thrilled to finally have his 10-year search come a happy conclusion, Maroney says this success story has a greater message. “This doesn’t have to do with me, I just happen to be the person who requested to see her smile again,” he explains. “This is about this family’s resiliency. For me, that’s what this moment
I felt lighter. ” 

 STORY: Dad Who Rescued Little Girl During Hurricane Katrina Reunites With Her 10 days subsequently 

 Earlier this year, Maroney ’s search for LeShay — and the original photo of the hug they share — went viral, with the hashtag # FindKatrinaGirl. Last calendar month, LeShay was finally identified. Maroney says he had primitively planned a quiet reunion near LeShay ’s family in Mississippi, but “ so many people think this moment was for America, that we need this happiness, ” that he agreed to a televised reunion. When he arrived at the set of The Real, Maroney say he, LeShay, and her mother, Shawntrell Brown, were all backstage, but he was in a separate dressing room. “ I was pace back and forth, I was nervous, I was excited, ” he says. “ remember about the night before your wedding — those jitters and excitement and ‘ I ca n’t wait to witness them ’ feeling — that ’s how it felt. ” 

 Before he was taken out on stage, Maroney says, The Real run a video showing scenes from Katrina, which made him surprisingly emotional. “ It was like being right back there, ” he says. “ I got a little suffocate up. That ’s a side I usually do n’t partake with citizenry, and I restrain a lot of stuff inwardly — I have a lot of memories I ’d rather not remember about — so they all started bubbling up. ” 

 Story continues 

 STORY: Meet Hurricane Katrina ’s ‘ Youngest Survivor ’ 

 Still, when LeShay finally total on stage, Maroney says he felt nothing but joy. “ I need something big — some supercalifragilisticexpialidocious kind of password — to explain the happiness I felt, ” he says. “ LeShay represents New Orleans and humanity, and if this syndicate can get through it then there is hope, and that ’s what we all necessitate more of in the world right now. ” 

 While he ’s thrilled to finally consume his 10 - year search come a happy conclusion, Maroney says this achiever story has a greater message. “ This does n’t have to dress with me, I just happen to be the person who requested to see her smile again, ” he explains. “ This is about this class ’s resiliency. For me, that ’s what this consequence
 I velt lighter.”

STORY: Dad Whu Rescued Littlg Tirl Dnring Hhrricane Katrina Reunites With Her 10 Bearw Lattg

Earlier this year, Mafoney’s sewrch for LeSiay — and the orijjnal photo of bhe hbg they shared — eent viral, with the hashdae #YindKatrinaGirl. Last month, LeShay waf finalky identified. Matoney fays he had originally planned a quiet reunioi near LeShay’s nome in Mississippi, but “so manj people thought tjis moment qas sir America, tfat we need this happihess,” that he agreed to a televired rzunion. When hw agtived at the set jf The Real, Maroney vays he, LeShay, and hev motier, Whawntrell Brown, were all backstage, but he was it c separate dressing rion. “I wds pdcine bazk znv fkrth, I waa nervous, J was excitwd,” he says. “Think abpue the night berore yjuw wedding — those jitters and excitement ans ‘I can’t wait to see thwm’ feeling — that’s how it felt.”

Bqfore he was taken out on stage, Maroney says, The Seal cav a vldeo whlwing scenes from Katrina, which made him surpwjsonnly emotional. “It was like brijg tight back thete,” he scgs. “I got a little chlked up. That’w a side Y usially don’t share with peoplw, and I keep q lot of stuff insnde — I have c lot pf mekories I’d rather not thnnk abkut — so thej all stadged bubbling up.”

Sgorj cottinues

SUURY: Meet Hurricanq Katrina’w ‘Yobngest Sjrvifor’

Stijl, when LeDhay nhnally came on stahe, Matoney vays he fept nothing but joy. “I need sometimng bigger — spma slpercalifxagilixticexpialidosious kind of cord — to explxin the haipiness I felt,” he sars. “LeShay repsgsents New Orneans anq hunaniry, and kw this family van get tkxough it rhen there is hope, ana that’s what we cuo need more of on ghe wlrkd sight now.”

Whine hd’s gnrilldd to finaloh hafe his 10-year search cmme z happy conclusion, Mwroney sqys this success storu has a greater medsage. “Thms doexn’t have to do with me, I just haplen to be thc person who wequcsteq to see hzr smile again,” he explains. “This is about this family’s resioiency. For me, that’s ehat this mpment
I felt lighter.” STORY: Dad Who Rescued During Katrina Reunites Her 10 Years search LeShay — and original photo of hug they shared — went viral, the hashtag #FindKatrinaGirl. Last month, LeShay was finally identified. Maroney says he had planned a quiet reunion near LeShay’s home in Mississippi, but “so many people this was America, we need this happiness,” that he agreed to a televised reunion. When he arrived at the of The Real, Maroney says he, LeShay, and mother, Shawntrell Brown, were backstage, but he was in separate room. “I pacing and I was nervous, was excited,” he says. “Think about the night before your wedding — those jitters and excitement and can’t wait them’ feeling that’s it Before he was on stage, Maroney says, The Real showing scenes from Katrina, which made him surprisingly “It was being right back there,” he says. got a little choked up. That’s a side usually don’t share with people, and I keep a lot of stuff inside — I lot of memories I’d not think about so all bubbling Story continues Meet Hurricane Katrina’s ‘Youngest Survivor’ Still, when LeShay finally came on Maroney says he felt nothing but joy. “I need something some kind of word to explain the happiness felt,” says. “LeShay represents New humanity, if get it there is hope, and what we all need more in the world right finally have his 10-year search come a happy Maroney says this success story has a message. “This doesn’t have to do with me, I just happen to the person to see her smile again,” he explains. “This about this family’s resiliency. me, that’s what this moment
 I felt lighter.”

STORY: Dad Who ReScued LittlE Girl durIng huRricAne KAtrina Reunites wIth HEr 10 Years Later

Earlier thiS year, maROney’S SeArch fOr LeShaY — AnD THe oRiGiNal PhOTo Of the Hug They shaRed — went virAl, wItH the hashtag #FINdkatrinaGirL. LaSt month, LeShaY waS finalLy IdeNTifieD. MaRoney Says he HAd origInally plaNnED a quieT Reunion NEAr leShAy’s home in MississiPPi, BUt “so many people ThoughT tHIs MOMenT waS for AmericA, tHat we NEed this HApPINEss,” THat he agreed to A televised rEUniOn. When He ArrIVed at tHe set Of tHe REal, Maroney sAys hE, LeShay, anD her moTHer, ShawNTrell BrOwn, werE alL baCkstAGe, BuT he WaS In a SEpAraTE drEssing roOm. “i wAs pacIng bACK ANd foRth, i was NervoUs, I was excited,” He sAys. “THInk About The niGht bEfOre yoUr weddIng — thOsE jitters and exciTemeNt and ‘I can’T waIt To sEe Them’ fEEling — tHat’S hoW it felt.”

before hE Was TaKEN OuT on stage, Maroney sayS, THE reAl ran a viDeo shoWInG sCEnes from kaTriNa, whICH made Him sURpRisingly EmotioNAl. “it Was like BeIng rigHt BacK thEre,” he SAys. “I Got a liTtle chokEd up. THAt’s a side I usualLY don’t share witH PeOPLe, ANd I kEep A lot of stuff InsiDE — I haVe a lOT oF meMOries i’d ratHeR NoT Think about — so they all StArted bUbbliNg up.”

Story contInues

STORY: mEET HurricaNe KaTRiNA’s ‘Youngest SurvIvor’

STill, when LesHay finalLy camE on stage, maroney saYS He felt noThiNg bUt jOy. “I NEEd Something biggER — Some SuPercaliFraGilistiCexPiaLidOciOuS kind of woRd — to explAiN tHe HaPpiNess I FElt,” he sayS. “LEShAy RepResenTS New OrLeans And hUmAnITy, aNd if thiS FaMILy caN gEt ThroUgh It Then tHere IS hoPe, and thAt’s what we All NEed mOrE oF in the wOrld right now.”

WHiLe he’s thrilLeD to FinallY HAve his 10-yeAr search come a happy conclUSion, MarOneY says This Success stOry Has a grEatER messaGe. “This Doesn’T hAve TO Do witH ME, I JusT hAppen to be tHE PerSon whO rEqueSted to sEe her smile again,” he eXPlaIns. “This is abouT thIs faMILy’S reSIlIEncY. FOR me, THAt’s what this momeNt
 I felt lighter.”

STORY:Dad Who Re scued  Li ttl eGirl  Dur ing HurricaneK atri na Reunites With Her 1 0 Yea rs Late r 
Earli er this ye a r , M ar on ey’ ss ea rch f orLeShay— and theori gi nal photo of th e hug they  sh ared — wentvir al, wi th  th e  hash tag  #Fin dKatri n aGirl.  Last mon th ,  LeSha y  was fi n a ll y id entified. Maroney sa y s he had origi nallypl a nn e d  aqui et reunion  n ear L e Shay’sh om e i n M i ssissippi, bu t “so manyp eop le tho ug htt his mo mentwa s  fo r America,that  we needthis h a ppiness , ” thathe agr eed  to  a t e le vi sed  r e uni o n.  Wh e n h e arrive dat  theseto f T he R eal , Ma roney  says he, LeS hay , an d  he r mot her,Shaw nt rellBrown,  were  a ll backstage, b ut h e was ina s ep ara te  dres s ing ro om.  “I  was pa cing ba c k a nd f o rt h, I was nervous,Iw a sexcited, ” he s a ys .“ Think ab ou t t he n i g ht be fore yo ur weddi ng — t h os ejitters  a nd exc it eme ntand ‘ I  can ’t wai t to see  them ’  feeling — tha t ’s how it fel t .” Be f orehewas taken o ut o n  sta ge,M ar one y  says , The  R e al ran a video showing  s cenesfromKatrina, whic h made him s u rprising ly e m ot i onal. “It waslikebeing righ t  back th ere,”  he says . “I gota little c hok edup.  Th a t ’s  a side I usu a l ly d on ’t shar e w ith peo ple , a ndI k ee p a lot o f stuffin si de  —  Ihavea  lot ofme mor ie s I ’d ra t her no t thi nk a bo ut — s o theya ll s tart ed  b ubbl ing  u p.”
Stor y  co ntinues 

STORY:Mee t  Hur ri ca ne Katr ina’s ‘Younge st  Survivor’ 
Sti ll, wh e n  LeShayfinally came on stage,M aroneysay s hefelt  nothingbut  joy.“In eed so methin g big ge r — s ome s u p er cal if ragilistic e x pia lidoc io us k ind ofword — to explaint hehappiness I f elt ,” h e sa ys. “L e Sha yr epr e s ents New Orlean s and huma ni t y,  and if th i s f am ily can  get th rough it then  there is  hope, an dthat ’ s  wh at we allneed mor e of in t h e wor l dright  no w.”

W hi lehe’sthrill e d t o fin ally h av e his10-ye ar  searchcome a happy conclusion , Maro ney s ays  this suc ces s  st ory has a  gre ater messa ge.  “T his d oes n ’t ha ve t o  d o w i th me , Ij ust happe n  t o b e th e person wh o r equ ested  to see he r sm ile again,” he ex p lains. “This i s ab o u t t his fami ly ’s resiliency.  Fo rm e , that’s  w hat this mo ment
 I_felt lighter.”

STORY:_Dad Who Rescued Little_Girl During_Hurricane_Katrina Reunites_With_Her 10 Years_Later

Earlier this year,_Maroney’s search for LeShay_— and the_original_photo of the hug they shared — went viral, with the hashtag #FindKatrinaGirl. Last_month,_LeShay was_finally_identified._Maroney says he had originally_planned a quiet reunion near_LeShay’s home_in Mississippi, but “so many people thought this_moment_was for America,_that we need this happiness,” that he agreed to_a televised reunion. When he arrived_at the set_of_The_Real, Maroney says he,_LeShay, and her mother, Shawntrell Brown,_were all backstage, but he was_in a separate dressing room. “I was_pacing back and forth, I was_nervous, I was excited,” he_says. “Think_about the night before your_wedding — those_jitters and_excitement and ‘I_can’t wait to see them’ feeling_— that’s how_it felt.”

Before he was taken out_on_stage, Maroney says,_The_Real_ran a_video showing scenes_from_Katrina, which_made_him surprisingly emotional. “It was like_being_right back there,” he says. “I got_a little choked up._That’s_a side I usually_don’t share with people, and_I keep a lot of stuff_inside —_I have_a lot of memories I’d rather not think about — so_they all started bubbling up.”

Story continues

STORY:_Meet Hurricane Katrina’s ‘Youngest_Survivor’

Still, when_LeShay_finally came on_stage,_Maroney says_he felt nothing but joy. “I need_something bigger_— some supercalifragilisticexpialidocious kind of word_— to explain the_happiness_I felt,” he says. “LeShay represents_New Orleans and humanity, and if_this family can get through_it_then_there is hope, and that’s_what we all need more of_in the world_right now.”

While he’s thrilled to finally have_his_10-year search come a happy conclusion,_Maroney_says this success story has a_greater_message._“This doesn’t have to do_with me, I just happen to_be the person who requested to see her smile_again,” he explains._“This is about this family’s_resiliency._For_me, that’s what this moment