written by John Reardon | Photos Provided
Hello, my Foodie Friends!
My life is changing and there is no stopping it. As we come closer to the wedding time of our daughter Aubrey, I reflect on my own emotions in getting ready to walk her down the aisle. Over the years, watching your daughter grow up and transition through milestones in her life can be bittersweet, especially with the momentous occasion of getting married. You are happy with their fresh opportunity to love, however, you recognize the changing seasons of being a parent especially as the father of the bride. The time has gone by so quickly from the moment Aubrey shared the excitement of her fiancé Eric proposing to her. The journey to the wedding day has involved my role as father of the bride in being a steady companion with venue selection, tastings, selecting the band, and tux fittings to help create the perfect day. During the hectic schedule, I have found myself trying to sneak in the small amount of time together in talking and enjoying our special bond. You see, Aubrey is my mini me and shares a love of old movies, rock ‘n roll and SNL type comedy. There have been many times that I have tried to say something witty and funny at a party and I’ll hear one big laugh from my daughter, who then proceeds to enthusiastically translate my jokes to others. All her friends are now trained in the art of “understanding dad.”
The wedding is now days away and I reflect upon; what she will look like when I see her for the first time in her wedding dress, how I will feel walking down the aisle with her by my side, hearing her getting announced as Mrs. Aubrey Kate Cassidy, dancing with her during the father/daughter dance, and continuing to be a light and a guide through her life as she continues on her next chapter in life.
One of our favorite movies of all time is “Father of the Bride” starring Steve Martin. For years, I could not sit through this movie without tears in my eyes. Despite its warmth and humor of this story of a loving father who didn’t want to face his daughter’s impending marriage, it hit a little too close to home while I’m anticipating the day I would need to let my little girl go. Recently, I watched it again through the lens of now truly being the Father of the Bride.
Don’t tell anyone but I might have laughed …and cried.
The main character “George” from the movie, reminds me of my own thoughts of being a father and how precious the times with our children are, especially our daughters.
“You have a little girl, an adorable little girl who looks up to you and adores you in a way you could never have imagined. I remember how her little hand used to fit inside mine, how she used to love to sit on my lap and lean her head against my chest. She said I was her hero. Then the day comes when she wants to get her ears pierced and wants you to drop her off a block before the movie theatre.
Next thing you know she’s wearing eye shadow and high heels. From that moment on you’re in a constant state of panic. You worry about her going out with the wrong kind of guys, the kind of guys who only want one thing, and you know exactly what that one thing is because it’s the same thing you wanted when you were their age.
Then she gets a little older and you quit worrying about her meeting the wrong guy, and you worry about her meeting the right guy. And that’s the biggest fear of all because then you lose her. And before you know it, you’re sitting all alone in a big empty house wearing rice on your tux wondering what happened to your life. It was just six months ago that it happened here. Just six months ago that the storm broke.”
Amidst the final preparations, I am filled with love, and cherish the memories of me holding my little girl’s hand through each accomplishment and challenge with growing up. I am proud of the women she has become while I prepare to hand over my care as a father into the loving arms of her new partner. But I have to say, it is hard to let go. My emotions in preparation of the wedding, are a poignant reminder of the enduring bond between the two of us. I realize the wedding day will be filled with complex feelings, from pride and happiness, to nostalgia and protectiveness. Ultimately, as I will watch my daughter begin her new life with the love of her life, my heart will be bursting with pride and happiness, knowing that I have played a significant role in shaping the incredible person she has become. I’ll end this with a song lyric that I say to her quite often;
“Look at the stars, Look how they shine for you And all the things that you do”
Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”
Take care, John Reardon (Father of the Bride)