I’ve spent the last ten minutes struggling to start this post. It’s never this hard. What I wanted to write about was my daughter’s wedding on Friday. I hate it when people write or say: “there are no words.” There are, in fact, plenty of words the fact that you can’t find the right ones is on you not a function of the limits of the English language which is quite rich in words. So anyway, I can’t find the words. Yes, I know they’re out there but the proper ones are eluding me.
Friday was a day like no other that I’ve experienced in my time on this planet. A daughter’s wedding was a first. I was thrilled, I was humbled, I was excited, I was reflective. I was full of love.
The wedding ceremony was held in San Francisco’s magnificent city hall. Evidently there are lots of weddings taking place there everyday and at all times. We saw many happy couples with family and friends having many, many pictures taken. I swear I don’t recall ever being in such a happy place, it buoyed an already elevated mood.
The ceremony was short and sweet and the — I’m assuming this what you call him — justice of the peace seemed a delightful little chap. One of my daughter’s friends is a professional photographer so in addition to all of us snapping happily with our smart phones there was someone who knew what she was doing. She clicked away.
Next we went to a restaurant about a twenty-minute walk from city hall. We had a table reserved and our own menu with the newlyweds’ names on it. The food was superb, the company even better. Yours truly gave the toast and it was heartfelt and well-received.
I don’t remember being part of such a happy occasion. It was nice meeting the groom’s cousin and two good friends as it was to meet daughter’s best friend and her husband. My wife and older daughter I’ve met but I always delight in their company.
I’m a proud papa. Daughter made an excellent choice. Her husband is a warm and kind man. He must have special qualities to win my daughter’s affection. We share a love of proper football (soccer to you Yanks) though root for rival teams.
Marriages don’t always work out as is well-documented but this one stands a better chance than most. It starts with unconditional love and requires patience, understanding, flexibility and a good sense of humor.
Four days later when I think of the wedding day there is still a warm happy glow. I’m still struggling for words to properly convey how I felt that day and how I feel today. Here are some that I know are apt: love, pride, joy, serenity, elation, happiness, reflection, wonder and gratitude. In some ways that last — gratitude — is perhaps the most important of all.
It has been said that to live in gratitude is the true key to happiness. I will be forever grateful for that day and for my family, including its latest addition.
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