My beautiful daughter, Samantha, got married last Saturday to a wonderful man. It was a 'destination' wedding in Miami, Florida, and almost everyone had to travel from as far away as Washington State, California, and of course, New York general area.
We originally thought that many would say 'no' to the invitation; after all, it wasn't cheap to get there, there was the hotel expense, not to mention other travel expenses. (most other food costs were covered by us).
To our surprise, out the about 170 invited, over 160 said yes, and very close to that number showed up. I'm sure there was a combination of factors, not the least was the awful weather in the Northeast-many looked at this affair as a mini-vacation to get away from the cold.
Having said that, I do believe that anyone who knew my daughter (and her husband Eric) just wanted to be there. Without being immodest, and paraphrasing from my 'father of the bride' speech, 'her warmth, her ability to make everyone around her feel welcome and loved, her smile, her caring'.
She truly is my ray of sunshine and while she was growing up I was in awe of her.
You guys know me for the posts that I have written, and maybe some of you know that I am very emotional guy. I'm 6 foot 3 inches, weight 240 lbs (now-hopefully to get back to 235 or so) but when it comes to my daughter, I just can't hold any emotions back. All of the girls in the wedding party who know me so well were egging me on to cry during rehearsal and during the 'father meets the bride to be' dress up with the wedding dress. At the time I thought that they enjoyed trying to embarrass me; my daughter told me that really they wished their dads were able to show their affection and overwhelming love to them as freely as I am able.
The true test of love came at the wedding reception the opening cocktail hour held at the 'W' hotel. I'm sure that many of us have been to affairs where it seems like there is some obligation, or 'when is it going to be over' kind of thing.
Now, maybe I'm prejudiced, (well, of course I am) but it seemed that no one wanted to leave when the party was over. The fantastic band (live instruments- NOT A DJ!!)made every one rock all over. Dancing and celebration, and everything my wife and I could have ever wished for one and only child.
I wish for all of you with children to have celebrations such as this-where family and friends together to share their love for your family.
Thanks for reading.
We originally thought that many would say 'no' to the invitation; after all, it wasn't cheap to get there, there was the hotel expense, not to mention other travel expenses. (most other food costs were covered by us).
To our surprise, out the about 170 invited, over 160 said yes, and very close to that number showed up. I'm sure there was a combination of factors, not the least was the awful weather in the Northeast-many looked at this affair as a mini-vacation to get away from the cold.
Having said that, I do believe that anyone who knew my daughter (and her husband Eric) just wanted to be there. Without being immodest, and paraphrasing from my 'father of the bride' speech, 'her warmth, her ability to make everyone around her feel welcome and loved, her smile, her caring'.
She truly is my ray of sunshine and while she was growing up I was in awe of her.
You guys know me for the posts that I have written, and maybe some of you know that I am very emotional guy. I'm 6 foot 3 inches, weight 240 lbs (now-hopefully to get back to 235 or so) but when it comes to my daughter, I just can't hold any emotions back. All of the girls in the wedding party who know me so well were egging me on to cry during rehearsal and during the 'father meets the bride to be' dress up with the wedding dress. At the time I thought that they enjoyed trying to embarrass me; my daughter told me that really they wished their dads were able to show their affection and overwhelming love to them as freely as I am able.
The true test of love came at the wedding reception the opening cocktail hour held at the 'W' hotel. I'm sure that many of us have been to affairs where it seems like there is some obligation, or 'when is it going to be over' kind of thing.
Now, maybe I'm prejudiced, (well, of course I am) but it seemed that no one wanted to leave when the party was over. The fantastic band (live instruments- NOT A DJ!!)made every one rock all over. Dancing and celebration, and everything my wife and I could have ever wished for one and only child.
I wish for all of you with children to have celebrations such as this-where family and friends together to share their love for your family.
Thanks for reading.