If I were ever asked for advice by a bride-to-be about her nuptial planning, I would tell her to think carefully before planning a wedding in the first two weeks of June. Especially if, like me, she had multiple family members with birthdays in the first half of the month.
Today is Father's Day, and I hope that those who celebrate their fathers have a great day and that those who don't have a day that passes quickly. I say that not to be snarky but to acknowledge that for many people, their relationships with their fathers are not something to celebrate. Either they are non-existent or abusive, and I know that these socially imposed holidays are hard for them.
I am lucky to have a great relationship with my father. He is a gem, my dad, a brilliant and unique guy. I always say that I married a guy just like my dad in the ways that I most love and admire... and who is completely opposite in the ways that my dad drives me crazy. Which is probably why Dr. V and I are celebrating our 17th anniversary today!
Combined with his birthday last weekend and all of the end of school activities, it's almost too much to celebrate. We went out last weekend and kind of agreed that the fancy dinner was a "Birthday/Anniversary/Father's Day" dinner. Today has been a much quieter celebration... and by "celebration," I mean doing laundry and spreading mulch.
It has actually been sweet today, having the two related holidays on one day. I listened to our daughter read the poem she wrote at school about why she loves him, and one of the things she said was that he is goofy and makes her laugh. I flashed back to our wedding day, standing arm in arm with MY dad at the back of the church. We stood for a few moments alone, and his murmuring encouragement and hugs made me feel safe and calm.
Watching Pepper read, I'd like to think that someday she will stand with her arm linked in my husband's, getting ready to commit her life to someone she loves deeply. I know that if she is nervous, he will calm her (or more likely tease her) and take away her anxiety, just like my dad did for me. ____________________________________
(Cross-posted at A Smeddling Kiss)
Lots to celebrate! I'm glad that you're able to enjoy it all, and gladder that you don't sound like you need to compensate for those family members whose special days aren't within the same two-week span. My in-laws' anniversary and brother-in-law's birthday are on the same day, St. Patrick's Day, and they're not Irish - so my husband grew up feeling like everyone had something to celebrate except him. (He felt doubly put-upon because his birthday is 12/26.) I'd have patted him on the back and focused on the positive; his parents chose to buy him almost as many gifts as they bought the actual birthday boy just to prevent him from being left out.
Sigh. I wish that was their only parenting lapse.
Anyway. Good for you for having a great attitude about it, and happy anniversary!
Posted by: Kate | June 15, 2008 at 11:29 PM