It’s a cool July morning and I’m glad. It’s been so hot and
humid. I was afraid it would ruin my daughter’s big day. Thank you, Lord, for
the turn in the weather. I smile as I stand in front of the church, watching
all the guests file in. Sarah did a beautiful job decorating the church. I peek
quickly in the bride’s room as I watch my beautiful princess get ready with her
bridesmaids. She looks like a queen in her white gown and the sparkling tiara
on her head. Her beautiful hair coiled and twisted upon her head. I look to her
mother who is as beautiful as the day I met her. She’s smiling wide and proud
with a hit of sorrow. I know what she’s thinking. I could always tell what
she’s thinking.
It’s almost time. I take my place at the end of the aisle and
look around at the beautiful church my daughter chose for her wedding. The
flowers only added to its beauty. The music starts as the wedding party starts
down the aisle. I look to my future son-in-law. He’s standing so proudly and nervously,
like any groom on his wedding day. I am proud that my daughter chose him to
spend the rest of her life with.
Now it’s time for the beautiful bride to make her way down
the aisle. The short walk down the aisle represents her journey from my little
girl to his bride. Her veil is lifted and her hand placed in his. The officiant
speaks about marriage, the joys, the struggles, the challenges to combine their
strengths to overcome any obstacle. The vows were spoken. Sarah’s soft voice
spoke clear and strong as she vowed to love him until death parts them. His
voice rang strong and powerful as he vowed to love her through thick and thin. The
officiant pronounces them husband and wife and tells him to kiss the bride. The
guests cheer as they lean to brush their lips together. They turn toward their
guests, the officiant proudly pronounces them Mr. and Mrs. Miguel Sandoval and
they walk up the aisle to the cheers and claps of their guests. I smile proudly
with a tinge of regret.
It’s a short ride to the reception as the day heats up and
the sun is shining bright. I hear them whisper “oh, he sent the sunshine for
Sarah.” I laugh as I wish I could have taken credit but it wasn’t me. I quickly
make my way around the ballroom as I make sure that everything is in order and
on time, not that I could fix it if it wasn’t but I check anyway. Then wedding
party arrives as they announce the names of the groomsmen and the bridesmaids.
I wait with a tight chest as the new bride and groom come dancing in the room.
Proudly holding their hands up in the air, cheering along with their guests.
Everyone takes their seats as dinner starts. The wonderful
food is carried out by waiters as the aromas drift around the room. My stomach
growls with anticipation but I know I can’t eat a bite. The sounds of clicking
glasses echo around the room as the bride and groom smile shyly and kiss. The
hoots and hollers from the groomsmen make me laugh at the boyish antics of
grown men. I guess boys never really grow up.
I glance around the room and I see my sour faced sister,
Mary Ann. I shake my head, that woman will never be truly happy. She’s mad that
her niece got marry before she did. “Well, if you weren’t such a sour puss
maybe a guy would take an interest.” I know she can’t hear me but I’ve said it
before. She knows but I don’t think she cares.
As dinner is cleared and the dj announces time for the first
dance. Sarah and Miguel make their way to the dance floor and dance. I make my
way to my wife’s side and together we watch our little girl dance with her
husband as she always dreamed and play pretend growing up. The song is
beautiful and romantic. Sarah probably had that song picked out since she was a
teenager. That day is finally here. As the song ends, my best friend and
Sarah’s new father-in-law, Mike, takes the microphone.
“Dearest Sarah, I’ve watch you grow up from a little girl to
a beautiful woman. I am so proud to now officially call you my daughter. I know
your dad wished to be here today. Since he can’t and I know that I can’t take
his place, I was hoping that you would allow me the honor of giving you the
dance that every little girl dreams of.”
Sarah nods through her tears as she walks over to him and he
gathers her in his arms and dances with her as any father would. The song that
played brought tears to everyone’s eyes. I couldn’t tear myself from the scene
in front of me as I watched my best friend give my little girl her
father-daughter dance. I see the tears flow down her face as she clings to her.
I hear her whisper, “I wish he was here.” Oh, baby how little you know that I
am. The room stood still as they danced. Tears quietly ran down my wife’s face
she held her breath. The song ended with quietly as Mike kisses her forehead
and leads her back to her husband’s side.
Shaky breathes fill the room as everyone holds on the
beautiful moment. Sarah then turns to the dj and says, “Let’s get this party
started!” And the dj answered with a loud and boisterous song that only the
young could appreciate. I smile as I walk away. As I leave the building, I see
something I didn’t notice before. There on a table by the beautiful wedding
cake were several pictures. A sign read “In memory of those who could not be
with us today.” There is my picture, smiling proudly in my naval uniform. It’s
an old picture but it was one of my wife’s favorites. I took back at my
daughter and wife. They’ll be ok as I simply disappear.
