This picture just about sums it up. I'm not sure I've ever seen such pure joy on my daughter's face, and that alone makes me happier than I can put into words.
This past weekend, we wrapped up all the matrimonial festivities for Taylor and Dustin. Melissa had the harder weekend, at least from a physical labor standpoint. Setting up the reception venue on Friday stretched late into the night, followed by cleaning everything up on Sunday morning. I helped a little with that, but I'll readily admit she did the lion's share of the work.
My difficult part came during the reception itself.
For those who don't know, Taylor and Dustin were married in a ceremony at a diving location in Fiji. I wasn't there for the ceremony, as Melissa and I were preparing for our long-planned trip to Alaska. Once we returned, it was time for the reception back home.
I was doing just fine through most of the socializing. Visiting with family and friends, enjoying the celebration, and generally holding myself together.
Then came the dances.
First was the bride and groom's dance, and that's when all those daddy emotions started creeping in. Next up was the father-daughter dance, and by that point, I was a mess.
I think that, during a traditional wedding, a father gets to experience some of those emotions during the ceremony itself. Watching his little girl walk down the aisle, hearing the vows, and seeing her begin a new chapter of her life. Those moments give the emotions somewhere to go.
Since Taylor's ceremony happened thousands of miles away, I didn't have that experience. Apparently, all those emotions had been patiently waiting for me to show up at the reception.
And then, of course, they played I Loved Her First by Heartland.
That did it.
I spent the entire song feeling like a sobbing mess, doing everything I could to hold myself together. The tears didn't come immediately. Those came later. But standing there, dancing with my little girl, I was feeling every bit of what that song was saying.
Looking back on it all, I couldn't be happier for Taylor and Dustin.
My little girl married a genuinely good man. And a Kappa Sigma, to boot. :)
Dustin's dad made an observation that really stuck with me. He said that Taylor is every bit as driven as Dustin. He's absolutely right. They're both determined, hardworking people who complement each other remarkably well. They make a wonderful pair, and I pray that God blesses them abundantly as they begin their life together and, eventually, their own family.
There's something about being the father of a daughter that is difficult to explain until you've experienced it.
For years, you're one of the most important men in her world. You're the one who tries to protect her, guide her, help her through life's difficulties, and be there whenever she needs you. Then one day, another man comes along, and you realize that your place in her life is changing.
As a father, there's a little bit of hurt in moving to second place.
But it's a good hurt.
It's the kind of hurt that comes from knowing you've reached the point you always hoped she'd reach. She's found someone who loves her, respects her, and will stand beside her through whatever life brings. Dustin will be there for Taylor long after I'm gone, and I genuinely cannot imagine a better man to take on that responsibility.
That doesn't mean I'll ever stop being her daddy. It just means there's someone else who gets to put her first now.
And judging by the joy on her face in this picture, I'd say she's exactly where she's supposed to be.
Now, we just need to make sure those yet-to-be-conceived boys grow up to be good Kappa Sigmas, just like their granddad, dad, and uncle. :)
Some traditions are worth keeping.
