Most Beautiful Bride

This is the poem I read as part of my “father of the bride” speech at my daughters wedding.

 

 

Most Beautiful Bride

The day you were born, with joy I did shout.  To think on that day I would actually find out.

What God thinks when He looks at us, it’s pure love.  As I gazed upon you, sent from Heaven above.

Then as new parents do, which is probably bad, we wanted your first word to be “Mom” or “Dad.”

To get you to say our name first we did grapple, instead you surprised us by shouting out “apple!”

You grew up so quickly and the next thing I knew, your favorite fun thing was a trip to the zoo.

Then I came to your preschool for one fathers day.  You made me a tie.  Next you started ballet.

On the bus for Kindergarten when you climbed in the seat, what a sight as mom and dad chased the bus down the street.

Then I found out what marathon runners feel like, when I ran alongside as you learned how to Bike.

And those dances we went to, just daughter and daddy, and snowmobile riding and Girl Scouts with Maddie.

You grew up so fast that it gave me the chills, next you swiftly developed your musical skills

You would gladly wake up, sometimes hardly a warning, to hunt Ducks with dad in the reeds in the morning.

And again, it was quick, and my eyes they were blurred, but right before them transformation occurred.

My daughter, the first one God gave me on loan, into a Godly young woman had grown.

Imagine my joy when I found you adored, and wanted yourself to call Jesus your Lord.

Then when you and I went on your first mission trip, and God tugged at your heart for a relationship,

And I watched your compassion and love shining through, as you approached perfect strangers and asked, “Can I pray for you?”

Then what seemed like the next day you started to drive, Miranda my daughter was starting to thrive.

Through your days in high school your fine qualities surged, and I watched as a beautiful young woman emerged.

Then the search for a college, it seemed like forever, you came back home from Tulsa and then you met Trevor.

When you told us about him, the look in your eye, let us in on the secret, he’s no ordinary guy.

Months later on vacation when we went out for treats, you said, “Hey dad can we take a walk down the street?”

It was then that you told me, “I know he’s the one!” and I knew that real soon, I’d call Trevor my son.

Then he asked me out for coffee, and I knew the cause, so I met him at Starbucks without any pause.

We talked about stuff then our eyes streamed with water as he said, “Mr. Masella, can I marry your daughter?”

We talked more about it and when we were done, I said, “Trevor I’d be honored to call you my son.”

Now the months of preparing have come to an end, and my heart’s filled with joy as you marry your best friend.

I smile ear to ear as I think how you’ve grown, now I give you to Trev to start a family of your own.

Our home will be different after today, and my blessing I give you as you go away.

Come home anytime, I’ll have arms open wide. Until then know I love you, most beautiful bride.

 

Dedicated to Miranda Graham (Masella)