I hadn’t expected to be quite so emotional. I know I’d
written a teary speech, and I’d joked to one and all that I’d be welling up,
but deep inside I thought I’d sail through with my usual jolly demeanour. And
then, five minutes before collecting my beautiful daughter, Zoe, from her room,
one of the bridesmaids brought me a gift. It was from Zoe. A watch. On the back
was engraved, ‘Dad – Forever your little girl.’
And that was it. I was in bits.
I went to collect Zoe and when she emerged, like a butterfly
from a chrysalis, she was so beautiful I was crying like a baby.
Giving a daughter away should be the hardest thing in the
world, but it’s the easiest. I’ve never seen Zoe looking so lovely, or so
happy. My hand was shaking when I walked her up the aisle. I’m so happy for
her, and I’m happy for my wonderful new son-in-law Ian (whom we all love).
It was a spectacular wedding. We took over the Wordsworth
Hotel in Grasmere right in the heart of the English Lakes. In practice we
seemed to take over the whole village. This was February. No one else was
there. Every time I crossed the square I bumped into wedding guests. It should
have rained – but it didn’t. The sun shone. The Prosecco flowed. We had a brilliant cartoonist (Christopher
Murphy), a stunning band (Superfreak), an amazing cake (Val Cooper), heart-stopping
floral displays (Gill Maxim) and a whole load of wonderful guests. I only left
the dance floor once in three hours. So thank you to my lovely wife Sue (who
also looked gorgeous), to all our friends and relations, and to everyone who
helped make the day go so well – the bridesmaids were fabulous – the best man
was hilarious – the fireworks were awesome – the photographer was a genius - the
flowers were spectacular; but thank you most of all to my stunningly beautiful
daughter. I will never forget the day I gave you away. Forever your Dad.
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