Sunday, August 14, 2011

10 Days to a Disney FairyTale Wedding

One week from today, my wife and I leave to spend a week in Walt Disney World. Usually, that in itself is enough cause for celebration. But this time it is different. While we are looking forward to being in the parks - at least part of the time - another attraction is front and center this time. My daughter is getting married!

Eleven years ago she moved to Central Florida to work in Disney World, so she has had the job of handling almost all of the planning. It will be a small wedding, but it will be a Disney FairyTale Wedding. They have decided on Sea Breeze Point at Disney's Boardwalk Resort as the location of the wedding. It's a beautiful outdoor location right on the water, and I definitely can see why they chose this spot. As of today the long range forecast is calling for a sunny day, and while things can change quickly when it comes to the weather, I am looking forward to a perfect day for the ceremony, after all, this is Disney World, isn't it? So we are expecting a lot of Disney magic on that day.

As a dad, of course, I have such mixed feelings going to my daughter's wedding. I have always been "the man in her life", and while I know that our special relationship will not change, her new husband is now going to be the primary man in her life. And, of course, that is how it should be. What makes it special is the man whom she is marrying. Sometimes you meet someone and right away you feel comfortable with them, and her about-to-be husband is one of that type. From the first time I met him, I liked him. I remember being a bit apprehensive as my daughter brought us to meet him for the first time, but within minutes of that initial meeting, it was as if he were an old friend. I couldn't be happier for her.

I suppose the fact that she has lived 1100 miles (that's 1800 km for you metric types) from home for 11 years now, makes the transition easier on us, since she isn't just now moving out of our house. In reality, not much is changing in my wife and my every day lives, but we are adding another member to our sometimes whacky family.

The wedding ceremony will be a beautiful one, and I will be the one you hear sniffling during it. Heck, I have a tear or two falling from my eyes even as I write this - can you imagine how I will be at the wedding itself? I had my mom sniffling in my ear during my wedding ceremony, my daughter will have me. (I guess she now knows where her own propensity to cry comes from.)

I know that I don't say it often enough, but I love her and am so proud of my daughter, and the woman she has become. I know that this new chapter of her life will be a wonderful adventure.

14 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this moment with us! I am sure that it will be a great day (yes, the weather will be good ;) ) and you'll have great memories. Even if I dont know your daughter I wish her all the best for the wedding and the marriage!
    Greetings from Europe,
    Andreas

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  2. Mark,
    So happy for you and your family!
    it will be a wonderful, magical day for you and your family.
    best,
    Sandi

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  3. I'm wishing you a beautiful day for your daughter's wedding! Sending a ton of pixie dust!

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  4. What a lovely post, and what a caring Dad you are. I wish your whole family a magical day indeed :)

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  5. So happy for Iris! Have kinda watched your kids grow up from afar, 15 years now since I first "met" you online. :) Iris has turned into a beautiful, confident and independent woman which says a lot about how she was raised. Couldn't be happier for all of you!

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  6. So happy for Iris (and for you) that she has found the man of her dreams (and that Dad approves). Your post tells me just how bad a job I've done of keeping in touch. My first thought was that it can't POSSIBLY be eleven years since she moved to Florida... and then that the wedding can't POSSIBLY be coming up so soon - it seemed ages away when you first made the announcement. But here we are! My very best wishes to Iris and her beloved. It will be a magical day regardless the weather - but I'll keep my fingers crossed for warm and sunny. If you're driving, always remember that if you need a rest stop in NC - I'm only 3 miles off I-95 and would LOVE to see you and Sandy again. Best wishes to all.

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  7. Gorgeous!

    I can't wait to read how it all went. You speak so lovingly of your daughter and you always sound SO proud. She's a lucky girl.

    Best of love and luck to all of you on the big day.

    Kirstyx

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  8. Yay! I am so happy for your whole family.. this will be an amazingly magical and fun transition.. I know how much Disney has played a role in your and your family's life and the idea that they are taking part in this next step I think will make the changes much easier.. Sending best wishes to you all & especially Miss Iris!

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  9. Wishing your daughter and future son-in-law many may years of happiness as they embark on this new adventure.

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  10. And I have goosebumps!!
    So close now......

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  11. I can't wait to see this from afar! I knew I would like Iris when I met her, but I agree about J, I felt the same as you when I met him. They're a gorgeous couple and we wish them all the happiness in the world!

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  12. So exciting and what a lovely lovely dad you are. I presume there will be just a little live tweeting on the big day!

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  13. Reading your blog was a warm and lovely way to start my day today Mark. We can’t wait to see the photos!

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  14. "I know that I don't say it often enough, but I love her and am so proud of my daughter, and the woman she has become. I know that this new chapter of her life will be a wonderful adventure."
    You may not say the words often enough - but I hear what you mean everytime you talk about your kids and grandkids. It's what I like about you the best! Wishing Iris and The Man a totally Awesome Day!

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