From across a kindergarten yard full of 30 parents and 50 kids (most foraging through Old Navy lunch boxes ((Yes, lunch boxes …even though kindergarten ends at 12 noon ? )) for 9:30am snacks) I hear my kiddos voice rise above the high-pitched rumble – from the top of the playground slide, “I love you Daddy!!….DADDY (Translation: “Yo YOU–>MY Dad!”), I LOVE YOU!!!” And I know at that specific moment, I am the very, most amazing, awesome BEST-EVER Dad in the entire world! If only for a few small snippets in time that are counted by the hundredth of a second, I am the one that is at the pinnacle of (what’s funny is that I tried to avoid the daddy part for so long…..hmmm….) what will forever be known as ROCKIN’Awesome, Super-LOVED and cherished by the only one that matters (PJ)….DAD!
And I crumble. I don’t have a response. I don’t know what to say. My years as a Guy forced the creation of barriers that don’t allow me to scream across a playground yard the only reciprocating response that would be adequate. Instead, I humbly continue my departure and ride away ignoring what I didn’t say; relishing in the pure love gifted to me in such a beautiful way.
As a wedding photographer, I’ve noticed that vows aren’t often whispered. When couples stand in front of their closest family and friends and declare their intent, it is expected that the invited gallery should hear it all (in fact, most expect it to be amplified! – good grief!); and the statement of “I adore, love, cherish, respect”…in all the sentences that those descriptives come in are broad casted for everyone to hear. And when you are up front receiving those words from your best friend, at a moment in time measured by hundredths of a second, you are the one at the pinnacle of companionship exemplified by a covenant of purposeful public declaration – CONGRATULATIONS!
Hold on to these moments, they are few and far between. And when it’s your turn, hold your breath, close your eyes and wish without distraction that the moments conclusion is a lifetime away.
Congratulations Cassandra and Andrew, I wish you a lifetime of happiness.
