A dad's thoughts

A little over a year ago I was deep into plans for the first wedding at our house. I thought I was prepared to "give" a daughter away and see her start her new life. Well, I sort of was but it was different than I had imagined. You spend your life as a parent doing your best to prepare your children to be ready for life and be productive. From the nursery through pre-school, grade school, High School and College you expect the best and do what is expected to keep them clothed, fed and healthy. Everything "they" do impacts everything that you do. There is no way to be disconnected from them. Obviously the role changes. You move from care giver to teacher to cheerleader to ATM machine. It is all to be expected.

At the conclusion of the first wedding I felt I could hold my head high and feel good about doing my job. I must say I was glad when it was all over. I told daughter # 2 I needed at least a year to regroup before I would be ready for wedding # 2. I had planned on buying a flat screen TV when I got word of wedding #1 so I put it off until the following Christmas. As Christmas came last year I thought I was in the clear so I bought my new 52" flat screen. What a great purchase. I am somewhat technically challenged so I asked my Son-in-law, Travis and Emily's boy friend Jeremy to come over and help me set it up. The old TV was a 20" 15 year old unit that I thought was actually pretty good. Oh my! When the power came on I had no idea what I had been missing. I watched the thing for almost two weeks before I found out I wasn't even watching the HD chanels. After the laughter at my expense died down from my new extended family I was able to settle in to a serious HD TV watcher.

Why am I telling you all of this? Well, two reasons. First, wedding #2 is now on the planning board for June 19th. Ruthie and I are excited for Emily and Jeremy. Secondly, I wanted to go public with my thankfulness to Jeremy for waiting until I had the new TV in place before he asked me for Emily's hand. I think my complaining to Travis about him getting a flat screen TV for a wedding gift and me not getting mine paid off. Seriously, not withstanding that neither Travis or Jeremy are hunters or come with motorcycles, Ruthie and I couldn't be happier for our girls and more proud of their choices in men. So if you have June 19th open you might come by the wedding and drop a love offering in the envelope marked "Father of the Bride". It will be a great day!

Great Days Ahead!

Posted by Steve Strickler