Washington (CNN) -- Thanks to Sen. Patty Murray, Sharon and Blake Ilstrup can have their big inauguration date night after all.
Last week, the Seattle-area couple, along with many others, were shut out of the first-come, first-served official Presidential Inaugural Ball ticket sales when a mistake by Ticketmaster, the ticket vendor, inadvertently released tickets for both the inaugural ball and parade early, as CNN first reported.
Ticketmaster and the Presidential Inaugural Ball later apologized for the mix-up, but thousands of potential partygoers were upset and flocked to Facebook and social media demanding a remedy.
So the Ilstrups -- who had planned on breaking out their finest formal outfits for Monday night -- found themselves and their two kids headed to Washington with no ball tickets in hand.
But after seeing their story on a Seattle TV station Friday morning, Murray, a Democrat from Washington state, came to the rescue. Murray called her office and told them to track the couple down.
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U.S. President Barack Obama prepares to dance with first lady Michelle Obama at the Commander-in-Chief Ball on Monday,January 21, 2013 in Washington. Obama was sworn in for his second term as president during a public Inauguration earlier in the day.
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"Sen. Murray was touched by how much effort (the Ilstrups) had made to try to go to the ball and felt (terrible) that even though they were online so early an error dashed their hopes," Murray spokesman Matt McAlvanah told CNN. "She told staff that she thought 'their enjoyment was the best use of my tickets.' "
But Sharon Ilstrup said the office had a hard time tracking them down in time since the family had already left for Washington. Finally, just hours before the big event, the office was able to locate her cell phone number and made the connection.
The Ilstrups, who planned the almost 2,800-mile trip to Washington as a part of an educational experience for their two children, Alec, 14 and Anna, 11, were touring the National Mall on Sunday when they got the call from Murray's office offering them the tickets.
"We just walked across the street," Ilstrup said. The Russell Senate Office Building, where Murray's office is located, is a couple of blocks from the Capitol and a hop, skip and a jump from the Mall. "They were so excited to give it to us."
Murray's office later tweeted a picture of the happy family.
While Alec and Anna won't be attending the ball with their parents, they won't miss out on all of the fun. The whole family will attend the President Barack Obama's second inauguration ceremony on the western front of the U.S. Capitol, with tickets they secured from U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Washington.
With her gown secured, Sharon Ilstrup, an Obama supporter, said she was most looking forward to the ball for "the energy."
"Just being there and the energy of the day ... just to be a part of another celebration of Barack Obama and of our country and not to be in my hotel room packing to go home."
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The Obamas walk on stage for their first dance together.
The president and his wife dance together on stage.
Singer Marc Anthony, center, closes out the performances at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball late Monday night.
President Obama and the first lady dance with service members.
Jamie Foxx, right, sings Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You" during the first dance of Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball. Foxx earned an Oscar playing the late Ray Charles in the 2004 film "Ray."
Alicia Keys performs during the Commander-In-Chief's Ball. She sang a twist on her hit song "Girl on Fire," changing the lyrics to "Obama's on fire."
The Obamas sing together as they dance.
Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden take the stage Monday night at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball.
The indie-pop band Fun. performs at the Public Inaugural Ball in Washington on Monday.
Vice President Joe Biden and wife Jill dance with service members.
Service members and their loved ones dance during the Commander-in-Chief's Ball.
The Obamas applaud singer Jennifer Hudson after their first dance.
Brad Paisley waves to the crowd during his performance at the Commander-In-Chief's Ball.
Michelle Obama dances cheek to cheek with President Obama.
The crowd watches the first couple dance as Jennifer Hudson sings the classic song "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green.
Couples dance at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball as they wait for the arrival of President Obama.
President Obama dances with the first lady at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball.
President Obama and the first lady greet the crowd at the Inaugural Ball.
President Obama delivers remarks at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball, honoring U.S. service members and their families.
President Obama applauds while speaking with American soldiers in Kandahar, Afghanistan, during Monday's first inaugural ball.
Country singer Brad Paisley performs for members of the military at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball.
Michelle Obama is introduced at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball on Monday. She wore a floor-length, custom, ruby-colored chiffon and velvet gown designed by Jason Wu, the same designer behind her 2009 inaugural dress.
Mexican rock group Mana performs at the Public Inaugural Ball in Washington on Monday.
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