AJ McCarron poses with cancer survivor flower girl Starla Chapman

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Starla Chapman met the Crimson Tide quarterback turned Cincinnati Bengal after she was diagnosed with leukemia at age 2
McCarron's mother Dee Dee Bonner says 'they met and just had a connection we just can't explain'
The adorable photo was released even before a professional shot of McCarron's stunning bride, former Miss Alabama Katherine Webb
Starla is now in remission and will soon start kindergarten

Published: 00:37 EST, 17 July 2014 | Updated: 11:27 EST, 17 July 2014

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A touching photo from Crimson Tide quarterback turned Cincinnati Bengal AJ McCarron's wedding released Tuesday features, not his new wife, but one of their flower girls.

Starla Chapman, 5, beams into the camera in the arms of the Heisman runner-up, who famously bonded with the little girl two years ago as she battled deadly leukemia.

The photo was the first professional shot from inside his wedding to former Miss Alabama Katherine Webb.

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Uncommon bond: The first professional wedding photo to come out of AJ McCarron's marriage to Katherine Webb featured the quarterback posing with his 5-year-old cancer survivor flower girl Starla Chapman

AL.com first spotted the shot when it was posted on Starla's Facebook support page.

'Starla is our little miracle not only because of the leukemia diagnosis but also because of overcoming the heart condition that should have taken her life,' the brave little girl's mother DeAndra Chapman wrote in the caption.

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Starla and AJ McCarron first crossed paths in 2011 when Starla was first diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer called acute myeloid leukemia.

Their unlikely bond grew closer after Starla went into cardiac arrest in January 2012 due to the chemotherapy.

Miracle girl: Starla was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2011. Months later, she went into cardiac arrest due to the chemotherapy drugs. She's now in remission

'They met and just had a connection we just can't explain,' McCarron's mom Dee Dee Bonner told MSNBC in 2012. 'He loves her to death and she loves him.'

Starla was treated like a princess at McCarron's Orange Beach, Alabama nuptials, where she wore a white 'Cinderella-style dress.'

'The entire McCarron and Webb family treated us just like family,' Starla's mother told AL.com. 'It was just an amazing experience.'

Starla is now in remission and will soon start kindergarten.

'Starla is our little miracle not only because of the leukemia diagnosis but also because of overcoming the heart condition that should have taken her life,' said Ms. Chapman.

'Ready for tomorrow!' Katherine shared a snap of her wedding rings to Instagram on Friday, showing off her diamond-heavy band and his unique black ring

Webb has shared some pictures of the glamorous event, such as this shot with her caterers, but Starla's was the first true, professional wedding shot

Katherine Webb shows off dazzling engagement ring to Extra

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miketrahan, Arlington, United States, 3 hours ago

Publicity stunt!

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Rebecca57, Elyria, 5 hours ago

The ring is probably tungsten carbide - a popular metal now. The little Starla is just adorable. I do hope she can come to great health!

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Insider, LaLa Land, 5 hours ago

Wonderful story and beautiful child!

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Sheripres, Cleveland, United States, 5 hours ago

What a beautiful little girl! I hope she lives a very long happy and healthy life! She is a doll!

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Sandog17, Somewhere in Floriduh, United States, 5 hours ago

What a gorgeous little girl.......

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Courtney Miller, Newport Beach, United States, 5 hours ago

Thats his goddaughter

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figaro0314, Nowhere, 5 hours ago

That little girl is so cute! AJ seems like an amazing guy.

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RedneckInNY, New Yawk, United States, 5 hours ago

That little gal is cute as a button. And the ring is tungsten, DM. Not rare or unique at all. Google can be your friend.

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Sandra, Las Vegas, United States, 6 hours ago

What a gorgeous little girl. Wishing you a long, happy and healthy life, Starla.

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Jan, Mesquite, United States, 6 hours ago

Ring not unique; my grandson-in-law has one; our pastor has one. It is the new look for men's bands. I believe they are made of titanium or partially made of. For years, my daughter included, women have been selecting other precious stones to be the main stone in their bands. A wedding band need not be made of gold. What he and Katherine did for that young girl is so precious and so selfless; she looks beautiful. And I agree that Manziel needs to take note on how to be a favorite football son graciously. He is already obnoxious.