I have been asked several times what my favorite part of a wedding is. Well obviously by the title of this blog you've probably figured that out! Don't get me wrong, there are so many other magical moments, like when the Groom sees his Bride for the first time, or when the flower girl doesn't quite know what to do when she gets to the end of the aisle so everyone lets out a chuckle, or the magic of a private last dance. There are so many opportunities for special moments on a wedding day, but the one I always hold closest to my heart will forever be the Daddy/Daughter dance, and this is why;
I was born a Daddy's girl. My fathers first baby, the first grandchild for his parents, and apparently a "miracle" if you my mom tells the story. We shared a love of sports, the water and most importantly the Lord. I remember my dad sharing a stories about how he would catch me shooting hoops into the crib I just climbed out of, how I was happiest near the water, and how I was his proudest moment.
My father suffered from addiction, something that changed the course of our relationship. My parents divorced, and we would only see him every other weekend, like most children in the same situation. We spent a lot of time in AA meetings with him, and with our adopted new family consisting of his AA sponsors. He eventually remarried, and we grew apart. I was angry with him for a very long time because of it.
However, I was very fortunate. My mom married the most amazing man. He wasn't all hugs and I loves you. He showed his love for me, by establishing rules, staying up in the recliner until I came home from a late night out. (Not too late, I had a midnight curfew, even when I came home from college).
Like most little girls, when I thought of my wedding day, I didn't think of the white dress, the flowers on the tables, or even the groom, sorry honey. I always pictured my dad twirling me around on the dance floor, and in my case, my dads (plural).
I had songs for both of the special men in my life
Charlie and I would dance to "I Loved Her First" by Heartland and Stephen and I would dance to Kenny Rogers "Through the Years"
At my sisters wedding I remember asking Stephen if he would walk me down the aisle and give me away. I had one request, he was to wear a tuxedo. Unfortunately, Stephen was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the same year we lost my father Charlie to a heart attack. Stephen passed away just four months after my father, his last words to me were I'll wear a tux.
My relationship with my dad had its ups and downs, hence why I wanted Stephen to give me away. However I always wanted to pay tribute to both my fathers with a dance at my wedding. That day unfortunately didn't happen for me so being able to share that moment with my brides is something I will forever be grateful for. In a way this moment on wedding day has helped heal my heart.
Here are a few of my favorite Daddy Daughter Dance songs;
"Diamonds and Daughters" Aaron Watson
"The Way You Look Tonight" Frank Sinatra
"Stealing Cinderella" Chuck Wicks
"You Are My Sunshine" Johnny Cash
"This Dance" Scott Thomas
"Wind Beneath My Wings" Bette Midler
"Fathers and Daughters" Michael Bolton
"Daddys Little Girl" The Shires
"In My Daughters Eyes" Martina McBride
" Daddy" Abby Anderson
In memory of Charles Walter Westermeyer and Stephen Floyd Fontenot