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The Kitchen Table

DD#1's wedding day is Friday

15 years ago

...so today is my last day on the job for this week. I pick my tux up on the way home after work. Hopefully all the i's are dotted and t's crossed; since weddings are 'the woman's super bowl' all us males know better than to get in the way. Future son in law Jim and I get along well; I hope to regard him as the son I never had. DD#2 & 3 are co maids of honor, Jim's brother is best man. Although I don't consider myself overly vain I bought a treadmill after they got engaged and have been on it every day except 1 (away on a short trip). After over 1000 miles I don't look very different but did shed 15 lbs.

Like a lot of parents I'm concerned about their future - will they be able to afford a house? Will they get a mortgage? When I moved out my first place cost me $33,000; my parents were concerned because that was over 10 times what they paid for their first; I laughed. But now, any house in any safe neighborhood might cost 7-8 times what MINE did ME! I'd be scared to death of a 4 figure monthly payment but maybe that's my dinosaur complex.

They are getting a free trip to Hawaii as a wedding gift!!! Kris' boss has a timeshare there and is letting them use it for a week. Also they are using his accumulated frequent flier miles for the trip.

As luck would have it my neighbors son is getting married the very next day! We had to turn the invite down because I know for a fact I don't have the strength to handle back-to-back wedding receptions. They turned ours down for the same reason; no hard feelings. I do intend to go to their church service however.

I'l try to post a digital picture of us all unless my mug breaks the camera lens.

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Comments (12)

monica_pa Grieves
15 years ago
Hang in there, Dad...and be prepared to feel a little teary going down that aisle.
softball_80
Original Author
15 years ago
Not a doubt in my mind that will happen.
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grammahony
15 years ago
You'll do great. And it's okay to tear up. It's an emotional day when you hand your little girl off. Even if you have 2 more to go through this with.
Leslie
des_arc_ya_ya
15 years ago
Aww...that's wonderful. Just think - they've got their whole young lives ahead of them together.

Make her proud, dad, as I'm sure you will!
nodakgal
15 years ago
I share your feelings! DD#2 marries in 2 weeks. (and 3 days! LOL)
I can only repeat what everyone tells me, they will be fine, they have good heads on their shoulders.
Looking forward to pictures! Wish I could say I'd been exercising everyday! LOL
gramzeeinmd
15 years ago
Good Luck, Dad! Relax and you will be alright.
I am sending some good thoughts your way.
Have a great time and I'll be looking forward to some pics!
Deb
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
15 years ago
After my DD's Wedding was over we missed all the fun of planning.

It is a very proud moment and having a great SIL helps.

BTW Softball, my first house cost $35,000 and my Grandmother gave me the Down Payment. I was lucky.

Enjoy the Celebration. And best of luck to the Couple.

Gayle
susanjf_gw
15 years ago
don't worry they all seem to muddle through...enjoy the wedding, and if they have that special dance, just think how awesome you'll be, with your new look! our last wedding was 2 years ago this month...

the best part comes later! the grands!
socks
15 years ago
Weddings are women's Super Bowls!!! That's funny.

I know you'll have a wonderful day, one which will provide many happy family memories. It's not hard to worry about our young-adult kids. Things seem so much more difficult now, don't they?
irishdancersgram
15 years ago
It's a Dad's right to worry about the kids, especially daughters...But they will be fine...When DH and I were married, 54 years ago, we bought our 1st house from his aunt and paid $6000...It was the family home, 13 rooms, and we paid her $40.00 monthly until it was paid off...After all 5 kids were gone, we moved next door into mother in laws 5 room house and paid DHs brother and sister a small amount...We've never had a mortgage which seems strange...I wonder if we could get one now, at our age.....
Best wishes to the happy couple, let the happy tears flow...
grittymitts
15 years ago
Family weddings are always emotional- remembering one or the other of the couple as babies, wondering how the years sped by so quickly, the beauty of the bride, sweetness of new love...mixed with worry of how much they have to learn, how they'll fare, etc., so it's perfectly OK to let those tears roll...just shows how much this precious young woman means to you!

Suzi
glenda_al
15 years ago
Relax, enjoy and have a ball!

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