I've never seen my little girl look so happy. "Stunning" is a word often used to describe the appearance of brides, and I was stunned all right, but not by her beauty. Her beauty is familiar to me on a daily basis. It was the happiness that radiated from her heart and through her eyes and her smile that made her so stunning. I'm still in awe and so grateful that she found a man who makes her feel this way.
Never was her happiness more apparent than when the officiant reached that part of the ceremony that began with the words, "And now by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Virginia . . ." As these words were spoken, Becky's smile broadened even further, which seemed impossible, and even more light came into her eyes. She seemed to rise up on her tiptoes anticipating the words that would follow, signifying the very moment that she would become Mrs. Jesse Dice. It was as if--and I know she will appreciate the analogy--she had risen to watch a soaring, game-winning home run; the kind that you know is going out, but is hit so high it takes a bit longer to leave the park. The kind that allows you to enjoy a moment of anticipation before the moment of joy. I've never seen that reaction in a bride or a groom before.
I had said in an earlier entry on October 9th that I didn't think that the ceremony would be emotional for me, but that the traditional father/daughter dance might be, especially since the song we chose was "The Riddle." I didn't want to become overwhelmed on the dance floor because I wanted to stay in that moment.
The batter swings and the summer flies
As I look into my angel's eyes
And I did, as those words floated through the hall. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the look that Becky gave me at that moment was worth a million.
Of course, reflecting on that moment and so many others from the wedding is a different story, and should "The Riddle" start playing on the radio when I am driving down the road, I'll need windshield wipers for my face. And they won't be set on intermittent, either.
Then there was Sarah's toast, telling her sister that she loved her and telling Jesse that he is the big brother that she always wanted. I could go on and on, but here. I probably should have just posted the following photo with no commentary. It says it all:
Photo courtesy of Aunt Terri.
Wow--I just have no words that are worthy in response. Now where are those tissues?
Posted by: Melissa Dodge | October 31, 2009 at 05:32 PM