My daughter is getting married. I’ve had over 20 years to prepare for this, but I’m not ready. I know it sounds cliché, but I don’t feel old enough to have a daughter walking down the aisle.
It wasn’t that long ago that I thought I’d be washing bottles and changes diapers forever. And after that stage passed in a blur, she entered her toddler years with a fascination for “The Wizard of Oz.” I followed her around in the driveway, pigtails flying as she skipped with a basket and pulled her Fisher-Price dog toy, pretending she was Dorothy.
Katie’s school years went by quickly, too. She was an excellent student and a responsible girl. I never had to worry about her finishing her homework or forgetting her tennis racquet for practice after school. She also took it upon herself to apply for many different scholarships, earning thousands of dollars towards her college tuition.
She’s still a good, responsible girl and I’m proud of her. But girls grow into women and make their own decisions, whether mom agrees with them or not.
A journalism major – following in the footsteps of her mother — Katie will finish her junior year of college the day before her wedding. The ceremony will be a small one in the park, and there will be no honeymoon as she begins an internship at a newspaper the following week. She assures me that she’ll finish her degree, on time, in May of 2009.
As her mother, I wish Katie would finish school before she leaps into marriage. But as a young bride myself, I understand her decision.
I knew this time would come, and I didn’t plan on being emotional about it. I want my daughter to be happy. But as she grows up and moves forward, I realize I’m supposed to be feeling older and settled. I don’t.
At 42, I’m healthy, having fun and happier than I ever have been, and I almost feel guilty for spending so much time in search of the perfect dress for myself instead of helping her find a florist or a caterer. She can check Angie’s List for those things.
I’m going to watch “The Wizard of Oz” for old time’s sake.
I got married almost a year ago, and will be an uncle for the first time in a a month or so. I feel much younger than I am (though some would say I act that way, too.)
Time does indeed fly.
My brother and his girlfriend are getting married a week from this Saturday (April 19th). They’re both 23 and have a beautiful blonde 2-year-old daughter who loves to drink from the bubble bottle.
I can still remember my chubby brother as a toddler. I still call him “Baby-Fat” whenever I get the chance (he was the only one out of us five Lee brothers to keep that baby fat). It’s strange when these family relationships change. I now have a brother who’s four years younger than me, but more responsible than me in many ways. It’s like he’s becoming an older brother….
My family thought it was going to be a struggle for my him and his girlfriend (and it was). But I’d love to see that look on my niece’s face after gulping down soapy bubble water.