Daddies and Daughters
There was a June wedding in our family.
A bride and her bridesmaids.
Mothers and friends, aunts, nieces, female cousins.
The fairer sex was everywhere.
But other than the bride, which girl is the most excited at a wedding in that "deep-down, twirl-around-the-room" kind of way??
I'm pretty sure it's the flower girl.
So much joy in the celebration. Getting your hair done with the bride and her attendants. A beautiful new dress and slippers, a crown of flowers, and your name right there in the program! All-in-all, a dream come true for a young girl.
But, oh wait...the very best thing? A dance or two (or three) with dad.
Yes, this dad. This dad who doesn't dance. I have known this particular brother for forty-@#*%& years now, and he just doesn't dance. Sigh. I will never be able to figure out how men who are so athletically gifted just decide at a young age that they won't can't dance. They will publicly get knocked out, thrown down, battered, bruised and bloodied in the name of sport, but ask them to go "once around the dance floor"....Noooooooooo!
But dance he did on this stormy June night in Florida, as his youngest became the newest flower girl in the family. Bless him, he danced and danced. And she never stopped beaming. She probably hasn't stopped yet.
I picture bedtime at their house the past two weeks has gone something like this:
"Hey dad, remember when we danced at the wedding?"
"Yes, honey, I do."
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"That was really fun."
I wish men "got" this about dancing. It really does make them the total package. This particular man is kind and smart, funny and hardworking. A great father. A great brother. But when he dances with a woman who loves him, well, we (the females in his family) all stand back with our hands folded ever so lightly on our chests, holding our collective breath. We are moved. We are girls.
And this is how happy a little dancing made one lucky flower girl. And her dad.
(Let's pause here for a moment and try to determine where this beautiful child got her giant smile.)
Just because I love this photo so much, I'm adding in the color version. And now let's ponder where she got those eyes. Wait, actually I'm pretty sure those are from her mother. Sorry, bro.
And just for the record, yes, other males in my family danced that night, too. In public. And I have proof.
Just sayin'.
so, basically, everyone in your family is gorgeous...
and i friggin love this post!
Posted by: biddy | July 07, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Biddy, you are the sweetest. :)
And yes, I am blessed with a very beautiful family, both inside and out. I am very partial to all of them.
Wait until I post a photo of the nieces and nephews. Wowza!
Posted by: What Happens Next... | July 07, 2008 at 02:36 PM
That first picture took my breath away - she looks at her father with such love!
And the smile on him in the last photo - pure joy and love for his girl.
You are blessed with a wonderful family.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 07, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Wow - what a gorgeous little flower girl! And I don't think she likes her father at all. No, not one little bit! LOL!
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Posted by: Tammy | July 07, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Hi, you don't know me, but I am acquainted with your brother, Tim. Sorry, I don't know your name. I run a football pool each year and Tim's children play along with the 'pick sheets' I send to them each week. They call me Mrs. C.
Sarah sent me a link to your blog. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your posting and seeing the pictures of Tim and Rachel. You write very well, which adds to the enjoyment. Rachel is at the wonderful, little girl, 'emerging butterfly' stage, with a face so beautiful, it takes your breath away.
I have been working for an architect for twenty-three years, so I am very interested in the church rehab that you are doing. I would enjoy hearing the story of how and why you acquired it, what your final plans are for the building. I will also check your blog periodically to see how things are progressing.
Mrs. C (carlson.pat@gmail.com)
Posted by: Pat Carlson | July 09, 2008 at 07:22 AM
Darn...I am cute!
Love you Aunt Debbie!
Rachel
Posted by: Flower Girl | July 09, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Yes, Rachel is TOOOO cute, just like all her siblings and the entire family that preceded her. Better yet, they are sincere, loving, welcoming, fun and a boatload of other positive adjectives that would take up too much room to post. It was great to be around them for a short weekend with wonderful hosts, GGGRRRREEAAAT food (thanks Kathy!) and a fun game of Guesstures that my son LOVED and made my daughter look like a ditzy blonde.
Posted by: Peg Brown | July 09, 2008 at 12:50 PM
The smile and those eyes!!!! Those photos almost mad me cry!!! They are so stunning!! They should be published!!! wHAT a very very special moment.. And yes, if men only understood what dancing does for a fluttering wee girl heart ;) Lovely moments!!
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | July 13, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Okay, that is just the sweetest thing ever!
Posted by: Sonia J. | July 25, 2008 at 08:23 AM