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A Gift To You...
This is how the story begins (or at least the moment when we start to tell it);
On June 13, 2015 on a quiet farm in New Hampshire (and after 9 years of patiently waiting) I got married. My father officiated our ceremony. My husband and I thought we knew what he would say, but in true fashion we were in for the sweetest surprise. He spoke simply about the reasons why Damein and I would have a successful marriage.
Before our wedding, Damein and I each separately had the chance to “grab a beer and some wings” with my father. During our individual dates with my father we each spoke of the everyday challenges in a relationship. As only the best dad’s can do, he guided the conversations towards self reflection. Honest answers were revealed. He then spoke on behalf of the elephant in the room… “What keeps the two of you together?” My response, “I love spending time with him Dad.” For Damein, the same answer, “I love spending time with her Ed.” No fairy tales, grand gestures or expectations of what a partner should be. Just the genuine, honest comfort of being with one another, spending time with one another, was what made us realize that everything else in between gets figured out.
On our wedding day my father reminded us that it’s the car ride to the grocery store where we learn communication; preparing for a job interview where we learn support; fighting battles we thought we couldn’t win where we learn forgiveness; and on that quiet walk together where we learn unconditional love. What Damein and I didn’t know, but were reminded of that day, is it’s during the times spent together that seem suspiciously like ordinary life when the magic happens. When he spoke to our guests that day, it was humbling to hear that the man I have looked up to my whole life had something to learn from us. What he doesn’t know is that it all started with him.
Here are just a few stories of when the ones who love you most, most loved spending time with you.
Merry Christmas Dad.
