After months of planning, my first born’s wedding is tomorrow. You spend their life celebrating all the “firsts”. First day of school, first T ball game, first lost tooth, graduations from pre-school through college,etc. With each milestone you marvel at how their level of independence mushrooms.
But there is something different about their wedding day. This is not just another declaration of independence. This time they are gone. They are not yours anymore to hover over and worry about. I will do it anyway – but just not in quite the same way. It’s different. She is making a new family. She is also now part of a new family.
I always thought I’d be really, really sad on the eve of this day. I’m not. I’m truly, truly happy for her. The family she is marrying into is wonderful. We share many of the same nuances and customs. We have had a great time forming a bond with her new in-laws this week.
Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful celebration, followed by a rockin’ party, at an amazing venue here on the ocean in Cape Cod. Tonight; she’s happy and asleep upstairs in her bed. Tomorrow; she’s gone.
And so, as the day before my daughter’s wedding goes by, I sit by my fire, fireworks on the beach popping in the distance, and thank my Lord for the life He’s given her, and…I have written.
And you let her go…
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