As you know, Father’s Day was last weekend.
On that day, I thought about of one of the truly special moments of being a father – making some remarks during the toast at your kid’s wedding.
Below are the comments I made at the wedding of my daughter Theresa and her husband Doug. They recently celebrated their tenth anniversary.
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A month ago, while attending a conference in Minneapolis, I took time to visit the place where your mom and I lived over 30 years ago while I was in graduate school. I stopped by the house we rented. I saw the building where I had my classes. I drove by the hospital where your sister Julia was born.
I was reminded of all the good times and wonderful moments of our years in Minneapolis and all the moments that have happened since. The joy and satisfaction of watching the birth of you and your sisters and you all becoming spectacular young women. The trips we have made to Alaska, Hawaii, Paris, Italy, Mexico, Greece and the unforgettable Honduras. The deep pleasure of many Christmas’, Thanksgivings and birthdays. The highs of victories in high school lacrosse and soccer games.
I was reminded of hundreds, thousands of moments of wonder, joy, beauty, fun and deep satisfaction.
I realized that at the center of virtually all those moments was your mother.
She made so many of those moments happen. And she magnified the pleasure of many more. She has brought these very special moments into my life.
These are gifts that she has given me. And in turn I gave these gifts to her.
Sometimes this giving requires effort. But most of the time it does not, it only requires love, friendship, respect and companionship; requirements that are natural and instinctive.
You two have given each other the same gifts. Theresa, you have had many moments that brought a smile on your face and filled your heart with warmth and Doug has given many of these to you. And Doug, Theresa has done the same for you.
Today the two of you commit, for the rest of your lives, to give each other thousands and thousands of these gifts. Gifts that make life the treasure that it is.
I sometimes think that the reason weddings are such happy times is because of the shared anticipation and expectation of the abundance of gifts to come. Sometime tonight I want you to say to the other; this most special of days, I give this to you.