Luke Bryan recently performed as part of the 'CMA Country Christmas' special, which aired on Monday night (Dec. 2). But it’s what happened off stage that made the evening so memorable.

The married father of two met eight-year-old Tatum Libbesmeier, who is battling retinoblastoma – a rare form of cancer that affects the eyes. The little girl, who lives in Minnesota, was granted a wish through the Make-A-Wish foundation, and she said she wanted to meet her favorite country star, who happens to be Bryan.

The singer met Libbesmeier back stage, hugged her, and gave her and her family their own intimate concert. They were also given tickets to the show, after she got her hair and nails done, and she got to introduce Bryan on TV, along with the show’s co-host, Jennifer Nettles. In addition, Bryan gave her several items, including a license plate and a pair of boots.

“He is cute and nice, and we went to meet him and he gave me these and he signed them here and here,” she boasts to WDAY-TV. Bryan also wore one of her bracelets during his performance, and took her out to see his tour bus, before they walked, hand-in-hand, back to her waiting limousine. “He sang to me, took pictures of me and hugged me,” she adds.

Her parents were thrilled with the entire experience. “Sometimes they say hi and that is it, but he went above and beyond, awesome,” her father, Scott Libbesmeier, says. “For four days we did not have cancer, no doctor bills, no doctors, just enjoy the moment, live the moment.”

Little Tatum will have another chance to hang out with her favorite country artist. Bryan is playing a show in Fargo, N.D. in February, near Libbesmeier’s hometown, and he has promised her a girls night out, complete with tickets for her and her friends, a limo ride, and the chance to get their hair and make-up done.

Tatum is receiving treatment for her cancer, which requires a trip to a hospital in Philadelphia, Pa., every three months for the next two years. A fund has been set up to help the family offset their rising medical costs. Donations can be sent here:

Tatum Libbesmeier Fund
Eagle Bank
Box 955
Elbow Lake, Minn. 56531

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