To the Boy Marrying My Baby Girl
Our oldest daughter gets married in two months. Two months, Y’all! Part of me is ready to get it done and over, whereas another part of my heart sinks to think about it.
She is my oldest. The one that first called me “momma.” The first one I carried in my womb. The first to break my heart and the first to bring me to my knees.
Chey and I have been through some stuff. But, in August, Colby and I will hand her off to her husband.
Oh, man, the feels are definitely strong with those thoughts.
And although she and her fiancĂ©, Nic, have been together for over 5 years, I can assure you there is still stuff I feel I need to tell him. After all, she’s my baby girl. Therefore…
To the boy marrying my baby girl,
Let me tell you a story about a baby girl that came out as stubborn as they come. Even at birth, she demanded that things go her way. I endured 18 hours of back labor because she insisted on turning to see all that was going on.
No matter that the doctor flipped her around in utero, she wrangled herself back into the position she thought best. And out she came.
She has always been this headstrong and stubborn. It makes her a leader. She never follows. It’s simply not in her nature to do so.
She is also strong. Incredibly strong. Not only in physical strength but in emotional stature. To break her you have to dig deep. Please don’t try. Don’t break my baby girl. She is precious to me and her heart IS fragile. Guard it. She loves you. Forever love her.
No one is perfect. Even my daughter. You are both flawed. There will be mistakes made and feelings hurt. Times will be tough. Marriage is hard and requires work from both parties.
Don’t expect it to be easy. Both of you will fight to have things your way. In the end, compromise. Your marriage is worth it. I promise.
Always put your marriage first. As much as it pains me to say, yes, even before her family. A marriage is an incredibly intimate union. You both shall now become one. Give to your marriage before you give to children, family, work or friends.
Don’t be afraid to apologize. There will be times when one, or both of you, will need to say, “I’m sorry.” Swallow all pride and do it. You both deserve the effort.
Treat her with respect. Love her fully. Grow and change together. Become the man she knows you can be. Her father and I expect nothing else. We believe in the sanctity of marriage and her love for you.
Truly that is all we ask. Love her. Love “keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:5-8)
Sincerely,
Her mom, whom she takes after daily