When Lucy was a newborn, I used to dance with her in our apartment to a song called Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman. I’d support her little head with my hand while doing spins around the living room, as if it were a grand ballroom, absorbing as much of that newborn baby smell as I could. The song served as a wonderful reminder about how fast time flies, and that it won’t be long before I’ll be dancing with her on her wedding day.
We still dance to it once in a while. Damn thing makes me cry every time.
And then I came across this story, which also makes me cry. Rachel Wolf’s father is dying of pancreatic cancer. She couldn’t bear the thought of not having the opportunity to dance with him at her wedding. The fact that she’s not even engaged didn’t deter Rachel. So she bought a wedding dress, rented a limo, and invited family, friends, and her father to a nearby park for the special dance.
And what song did they dance to? You guessed it: Cinderella.
Here’s the video, along with a head’s up: grab a tissue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GuLXkKJAYEThis story is reminiscent of the folks who moved up Christmas for a kid I knew who was dying of leukemia. Who says Christmas can’t be celebrated in September? Who says you can’t make your own adjustments to the “normal” wedding traditions?
This is it, guys. The daily stuff of life that happens unnoticed while we worry about the future and busily check things off to-do lists are the magical moments we’ll look back on with fondness. THESE are the good old days. Don’t miss them while you’re busy making other plans.
And don’t let any so-called rules keep you from creating scenes made for fairy tales.
Does this remind you of any scene-making small rebellions you’ve instigated or witnessed? Share them in the comments!
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J,
I love it that you are already dancing with your “Cinderella”! Keep dancing! : ) I had the privledge as a sponsor to attend the 10th Anniversary celebration for “Show Hope” in Nashville a few months ago. Steven Curtis performed “Cinderella” and invited all the Dads and girls (no matter what age) to dance together out in the aisles or at their seats. It was so beautiful – I had many tears, of course!! A co-worker of mine also shared a you tube video with me about “rule breaking” at a wedding father-daughter dance, for a young woman whose father passed away shortly before her wedding day. Get some kleenex, it’ll get ya!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPDXmbaXvgw
Wow. What a great image of that Steven concert!
And yes, thank you for helping me keep Kleenex in business :)
I’ve always loved this song, especially knowing a little about Steven Curtis Chapman’s past. One great song I always hoped to be able to dance with a possible future daughter to.
My paternal grandmother dies suddenly and unexpectedly 5 days before my husband and I married 20+ years ago. I had been so looking forward to having the living 3/4 of my grandparents at my wedding, and my husband has been a little sad that only 1 of his was living. In order to include them all, we set up a photo table next to the alter, and set our favorite pictures of all the deceased grandparents on it. My in-laws and their guests couldn’t decide if it showed enormous respect or was just weird. My family and friends smiled and shook their heads, knowing I had figured out how to have my way for my wedding. Several later copied the idea at their weddings!
How sweet, Kim! What a neat tribute to your grandparents :)