This morning in play time before school Kathleen rolled out
my yoga mat and said, “It’s an aisle! Let’s play wedding!” Then the fun began…
First Kathleen got a blanket to walk behind like she saw
Jessica Nelson do that at her outdoor wedding (so no one could see the bride before
she walks down the aisle). Then Daddy was asked if he would be the groom which
put Mommy in the position of official wedding director/pastor. We rehearsed the
basic ceremony before school and when I picked Kathleen up at the end of the
day the details of the plan came together on our ride home. Kathleen had the
best time thinking about and discussing which dress she would wear, how she
wanted to set up her stuffed animals as guests, and last but not least we could
not forget to pour the sand!
Once we got home, Kathleen and Mommy spent a full hour
getting ready: preparing dinner, the room, and most importantly the bride for
her big night. When Daddy walked in the door at 6:30 p.m. the game was on. In
fact, I believe Daddy was greeted at the door with a sweet Kathleen running up
to him in her wedding dress yelling, “Daddy, Daddy, we’re ready for the wedding
ceremony!”
First, we ate Kathleen’s favorite dinner to celebrate the
occasion (Yellow rice, Black Beans, Veggie Fajitas, and Guacamole). After dinner,
Daddy put on his suit jacket and walked his little girl down the aisle behind a
blanket. At the end of the aisle he tossed the blanket aside to reveal the
stunning beauty of his bride. While holding hands, Kathleen then promised to
love Daddy forever and ever. Daddy likewise promised to love Kathleen forever
and ever. Kathleen gave Daddy his wedding ring and promised to love Daddy no
matter how old or sick he became. Daddy then gave Kathleen her wedding ring and
promised to love Kathleen no matter how smart or beautiful she became. Then they
walked over to a special table to pour colored sand into a glass bottle. This sand
was a symbol of how their two hearts, joined by love, could never be separated
- just as the beautiful colors mixed together in the sand also cannot be
separated. Coming back to the center of the aisle, Mommy then pronounced the
happy couple married and Daddy kissed the bride! They danced back down the aisle
and celebrated among all their stuffed animal friends. Kathleen baked a pretend
cake for all the guests and the couple’s first dance was to “Everything is
Awesome” from the Lego movie. It was truly a dance of celebration and did not disappoint!
As a child, I don’t remember ever asking to marry my daddy,
but tonight was a night of dreams come true in the land of parenthood. Kathleen
had such a great time preparing for and walking through her wedding ceremony. Thank
you Jessica Nelson, for allowing us to attend your beautiful wedding and
therefore causing Kathleen to want to be just like you!
p.s. No filter was applied to these photos, and our house is not full of smoke! I was just a horrible photographer in the midst of directing and officiating. Emotions were high, what can I say.
The memory of the night however remains perfect.
