The Woman in the Ivory Gown

A funny thing happened on the way to church today, my little baby girl became all grown up. I mean it, it seems as if I left my home this morning, I arrived at the church, and there was this beautiful young woman dressed in an incredible Ivory Gown, and they kept telling me she was my daughter. How could this happen? I still thought of her as my little girl. Scraping her knee and coming to me crying. Bringing me her report card with the one B- and a sincere tear in her eye. There I was at the church, and they keep telling me how beautiful my daughter is, and all I want to do is go over to her and hug her, tell her I love her, fix her boo-boos. Wow, what just happened here?

I was able to control the shaking in my knees long enough to walk this picture of radiance down this plastic white runner and stumble through some words that sounded like "Her mother and I do". Oh my Gosh, I think I forgot to kiss her. Then some guy in a really nice suit said some more words about this nice young man and that beautiful woman on the stage. All I kept hearing was my baby girls little voice calling to me and her mom from her bed at night.

Why does everyone keep congratulating me?

Those two people on the stage kissed, It was a nice quick kiss. I think I was glad about that. That nice guy in the suit said something about being pleased to announce "Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Ayoub" and everybody was clapping and yelling and screaming. Who are these people and where is my baby girl?

Dinner came, it tasted good, but was kinda cold. What a surprise. They told me I had to dance with this beautiful young lady, I hope my wife doesn't get jealous, me dancing with this incredibly beautiful young woman in the Ivory Gown. So many people were crying, why is that, I was lucky to dance with her. Why does my wife have that smile on her face?

We got to have some cake. Cake always reminds me of my Grandmother. I am not sure why, I wish she and papa were here today to see the beautiful young woman in the Ivory Gown. I think that would of made them very happy. Now someone is pulling on my coat, telling me I have to give a speech. I would like to tell you what I said.

"A funny thing happened on the way to church today, my little baby grew up. I think about blessings, real blessings that affect our lives forever. In this world, I know we should expect very few real blessings. Blessings that we and our friends remember for a lifetime. I think about the day that I was married. I had family members taking wagers if my wedding would last a year, and now 28 years and 2 weeks later I can still glance across the table and see my beautiful wife.

That day was a real blessing.

The days that my children were born - Psalm 127 reads "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of ones youth."

Those days were a real blessing.

Our kids then grow up and all of a sudden the kids are out of the house and then a father waits, and if the planets align, and the stars are in phase, God performs a real blessing and our children find a Godly mate. A mate that a father can have confidence in, knowing he will do the right thing in taking care of a fathers child. I believe that my daughter today, has found that man, and I can release her to him with peace and joy.

That is a real blessing.

Jonathan, you now have my daughter as your wife. Love her as you have loved nothing else before. Praise her for her strengths, teach her when she needs knowledge, learn from her when you are weak and take joy daily in her presence.

Brooke, follow his Godly lead, pray for him when he looses focus, and pray for him when he is focused. You both have my blessings and love and I pray that your life together is as much of a blessing as my life has been with your mother. I love you both.

Now lets lift our glasses, To Jonathan and Brooke - May your days together be long and joyful, May your love be visible to all and may my grandchildren be plentiful and beautiful. Cheers."

Well that is over. Why do I cry so? It is harder and harder to see that little girl in my mind anymore. That young woman in the Ivory Gown is so beautiful, and I love her so. That woman is my daughter and I now have a new son. That is a real blessing.