I recently attended a family wedding (that of my husband’s first cousin) and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was a beautiful indoor ceremony with a delightful golf course setting…the course and gardens were visible through floor-to-ceiling windows.

As I witnessed the blending of two cultures, I was oblivious to the rain falling outside.

The food was wonderful…and it was such a delight to meet new people and revisit with familiar faces.

When the father of the bride gave his speech in Chinese, without listening to the words of the translator I could easily see the love and pride he was expressing for his daughter. The same was evident when, in English, the father of the groom welcomed his new daughter-in-law. Both men expressed such genuine affection and, having experienced the death of my father last year, I marveled at how lucky the bride was to have both those men in her life.

And I have to admit…during the bride/groom parent dance I was thinking about how much I missed my father.

When a parent passes away there are always beautiful reminders of treasured memories…of a lasting relationship that lives on in spirit.

Cheers to the new couple.

And much love to my departed father. (Miss ya so much Dad!)

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My Friend
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