Let's Fall in Love: Dad's Last Task

Throughout the two years we spent wedding planning, my dad was aware that he had two major tasks assigned to him.  One being getting me down the aisle on time, which he handled swimmingly.  The other was the welcome toast that officially kicked off the reception.  Apparently he had been planning these words for quite some time longer than just our engagement, he'd been thinking about this speech since the day he met me.

Thank you all for coming tonight and congratulations to Meagan and Kenny.


This all started twenty seven years ago, not twenty two months ago when you were engaged.  It started a long time ago at St John's hospital on Meagan's birthday.  She was brought down to her mother's room in the afternoon and I held her for the first time.  I said to her, "Hello Meagan.  I'm your dad.  And someday I'm going to walk you down the aisle.  And today I did."

 

He raised his glass to Mr LikesIt and I and smiled as applause rippled through the ballroom.

As daughters go, you can imagine that Meagan asked for certain things as she was growing up, and for the most part, I would say yes.  It started out with crayons and coloring books and Barbies ... and shoes, lots of shoes.  I'm not even going to ask how many pairs of shoes you've got now.  But as most dads do, they say yes to those sorts of things, and so did I.  I just told Meagan to put it on her tab.  And that tab has become ... sizable since.  I didn't bring it today because I was concerned about it fitting through the door. 

 But today, that tab is DONE.  Guess who gets the tab now?  She's all yours, Kenny!

And then he smiled knowingly at Mr LikesIt, and everyone cheered again.

 Mr LikesIt had no idea how serious Dad was. Look at that nervous look on his face.

One of my other jobs today was to get Meagan to the church on time, and to get her married off, and to get this reception going.  I think I made the time alright, it is still Saturday right?  We made it on time, Mugs. 

So I have accomplished all of my tasks I was assigned today, including this speech (and I haven't spoke to this many people all at once since I quit teaching school). 

I want to thank all of you for coming today, to this special day.  Please raise your glasses to Meagan and Kenny.  To your happy life together!

It was the perfect toast, and perfectly set the mood for the light-hearted, fun party to follow with our nearest and dearest.  Father of the Bride toasts have always been a highlight of the weddings I've attended, and my Daddy-O's speech has a very special place in my heart.  And I just knew he was going to mention that tab.

So thanks, Daddy.  Thank you for keeping your promise to walk me down the aisle.  Thank you for mostly saying yes.  Thank you for teaching me what a good husband should be.  Cheers to you, and I love you.

In case you missed it ...

I bought a dress and completely changed it.  We had a marathon final week of engagement.  I giggled my way through our rehearsal.  Mr LikesIt got grilled at our rehearsal dinner.  The groomsmen ran amok in downtown Springfield. The girls got gorgeous.  We exchanged mushy wedding-day gifts.  The guys got fancy and then got dancy.  I became a Bride.  There was a first First Look. I shared my Somethings.  The boys made the most of trolley-time. And did their thing on the Capital grounds. The girls took photos at the hotel. Everyone arrived at the church. We walked down the aisle. We declared our intentions and my cousin preached. We exchanged our vows. Our hands were blessed. Mr LikesIt put a ring on it and kissed his bride. We were pronounced Mr and Mrs! We left the church in a blizzard of confetti, and took a "just-married" trolley ride. We made it legal. We took pictures with our families, followed by wedding party portraits. I hit a low point. We received our guests. The wedding party was introduced.