“. . . who gives this bride?”

07.08.2011  Emily Beck

 

 

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Father of the Bride. Have you seen it? If not, get off your butt and go to the store and get it, because it is one of the greatest wedding movies ever made. I was adverse to watching it for a while, mainly because the resemblance between Steve Martin and Christina Engle’s father is scary. Even in Roxanne, I pictured Uncle Ken with a prosthetic nose referring to breasts as pillows…it’s just not a good image. Anyways, if you haven’t seen the movie, watch it. Or if you have, watch it again, because it shows us the types of anxiety fathers go through when having to give away their little girls.

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I once asked my father if he would walk me down the aisle, and I remembering saying something along the lines of “Hell no” and then walking away from me. Needless to say, as his only daughter, I was devastated! How can a father say that to his daughter, right? But a year later, I’m thinking it’s because he can’t give me away.

He’s been the main man in my life for over 20 years now, how could he possibly say good bye to that relationship?

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My dad has been the one I call for everything, from broken-hearts to work trouble and even fashion advice.

He’s my go-to guy, and it must be so hard knowing that it can’t be like that forever.

Steve Martin, in FOB, bemoans how he will never get to see his little girl at the dining table in her pajamas, and how something inside him began to hurt.

And, despite what my father said, I’d like to think he feels the same way.

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And so does your Dad. At this time when you are planning your wedding, you can envision holding onto your father while he walks you down the aisle, his little girl for the last time.

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You can begin to imagine what he feels as you become one with another and you embrace your identity with a new man; him seeing you as a young woman holding your husband’s hand instead of a young girl, clutching his. It is a tragically beautiful moment for our beloved fathers, who after all this time, finally have to let you go.

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So here’s to the dads who loved us throughout all the years; who were our greatest heroes and our biggest fans.

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And if you are still searching for some great father-daughter dance songs, here are a couple of popular choices which may help you choose your own.

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I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack- I cry like a baby every single time I hear this song. There’s a reason it’s so popular.

I Loved Her First by Heartland- A good song, if maybe a little possessive…kidding! It’s great!

Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle- Brings back all those childhood memories of eyelashes fluttering against your face…

Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof- Best used at Jewish ceremonies.

The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra- CLASSIC.

Daughter by Loudon Wainwright III- My personal favorite that will be my father/daughter dance song, assuming my dad isn’t stubborn and decides to come to the wedding.