Posts
3 boys.
Every dad's dream come true. Alex is nine. He loves sports and action. Isaac is six. He loves to wrestle and play video games. Dax is four months and I am sure it will be more of the same.
Pink.
I never thought there would be any pink in my house. I was pretty happy about that. No girly stuff. Only macho, tough stuff. Jenny was a lone woman in our house. For those of you know her, she isn't much of a pink gal.
No dolls. No dresses. No princess outfits. No dance recitals.
All fine with me...
Pink...
Tonight I shot a reception with a wonderful bride and groom. We had a great time at the temple and the party that evening was a hit as well. When the time came for the daddy/daughter dance, the dad walked across the floor, offered his hand to the cutest bride ever, and escorted her to the floor. And they danced....
Now, I am a wedding videographer and I see this all the time, more than 1000 times. But tonight was different. They played a new song that I hadn't heard before and you should all go listen to it. It is called Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman. As the dad took his little girl in his arms, I began listening to the music. I watched the dad closely as a tear fell down his cheek. As they rotated, I saw the bride crying as well.
Then suddenly.... I couldn't see.
Yep. I started bawling too! I tried to keep my composure, but holy crap I couldn't see the dance and my eyes were leaking! A couple of the bridesmaids noticed and they started to snicker and I couldn't believe what was happening.
I was imagining that dance with my little Princess, Elsie.
What will she look like on her wedding day. Which song will she choose for our dance? Will I be able to keep my composure? Probably not since I am bawling at a strangers wedding. How will I EVER be able to give her away? How could I ever expect or hope that another man will ever be able to take care of her or love her like I do? What will our dance be like?
So I pulled myself together, finished the reception, rushed home, and crept into Elsie's room where she lay sleeping peacefully. I reached into her crib and took her little hand in mine...
I reflected again on the song lyrics: Have a read...
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.
Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
but I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy please!"
So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
(even one song)
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone"
Pink.
Not too fast, Baby Elsie... Your daddy is suddenly a big softie and he needs some time to build up to this... so please, for my sake...
Take your time.
Click HERE to listen to the song. Better grab a Kleenex...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Matt...I am a blog stalker...I know, PATHETIC, but I had to comment to this post! One word.... BEAUTIFUL! My husband has 6 daughters. His oldest was selfish & didn't even invite him to her wedding, his 2nd is being destroyed by her mother...LOL (long story...ex wife is a evil woman but, that's beside the point.) But the 4 youngest LOVE their daddy so much....While reading this post of yours, I could imagine my sweet husband dancing with his little girls. What a wonderful song! Thanks for sharing!
It's amazing what a tiny little girl can do to a big tough guy isn't it?
Man dad. Wuss
That is one of my very favorite songs- and Cessna and Jeff already dance to it! I can't imagine what it will be like at her wedding one day either... another one that got me bawling recently was "Slipping through my fingers", a song on Mamma Mia- you should watch that- or don't because thinking of giving your child away as a mother gets the tears just a flowing!
I loved this post. I think every daddy needs at least one little girl. My husband is always teasing my daughter and she still at the age of 12 has him wrapped around her pinkie.
Thanks, this post was great. It made me cry. I'm glad you get to have some pink your house now.
-amy
Matt! Are you kidding me?! This is coming from the guy whose Facebook posts always keep me in stitches and now I'm CRYING --this time not with laughter-- ???? Seriously, I didn't know what I was getting into when I clicked over to your blog! :)
I can imagine that your little sweetheart is going to be so grateful to have such a caring {softie} for a dad. I'm still praying that we'll be blessed with a girl...I'm the lone lady around here and we need some PINK too! :)
Matt,
This is a side of you that we Love to see. Elsie is a Lucky girl to have such a doting Dad.
Pink has been a very good addition to your House!!!!
Love
Mary & Rick
Look at you. You don't fool me... I've always known you were a softy. Very touching Matt, very touching. She is so beautiful.
Oh, now you got me crying too!. Matt Glad you are finally embracing the Pink cause it's only just begu! I have never heard that song but it brings memories of our family always dancing and lisitening to music growing up and still. reminds you to take advantage of the precious moments. Jenny I also loved your all I need to know blog about your Mother. So cute and funny!
Now dangit! I'M tearing up at your post. That's even MORE pathetic. I'm tearing up about you tearing up about some Dad I've never seen tearing up!
Our little girl has her Daddy wrapped around her little finger too. It's okay. It's her job. Just wait till she's a little older and starts ruling the family with her pink iron fist (if she's anything like our littlest girl).