Dear daddy,
Remember that boy who took me to prom? Don’t be mad, but I admit that I felt a little proud of myself when he walked in the door. He looked just as smart as you when you go out to work. I saw you straighten up when he approached, probably because he was a full head taller than you, and was on the track team besides. I knew you didn’t like him. I knew you wouldn’t like anyone bringing in flowers for your daughter.
You watched him wrap the corsage around my wrist with a severe look. His fingers lingered on my hand, and then he stepped back, promising you that he’d have me home by midnight.
Be careful driving, you said and gave my poor boy another one of your severe looks. You went to sit down on the sofa and turned the television on to watch CNN. I looked back at you as I walked out the door. I knew you would wait up for me, no matter how late I got home. You’d still be watching CNN, AC 360 would be on, but the minute I knock on the door you would be on your feet, hurrying to unlock the bolts.
Daddy, remember that boy who took me to prom? I really liked him. I knew it because I felt my heart smile when his hand met yours. That was how I wanted things to be, all the days of my life. You hated him, I know. You don’t like feeling second place in my heart.
He broke my heart a few weeks later. I knew you wanted to say something to comfort me, but you didn’t know how. I think you said something about how he was just like those damned flowers he gave me, lovely when fresh but wilting and useless at the time goes by. I didn’t really understand but it was just funny that you compared him to a flower. All 180 pounds of muscle that he was.
When he showed up at our door, you looked ready to kill him. He had those flowers again, and an apology on his lips. Daddy, don’t look so angry. Mom forgives your faults because she loves you. Daddy, don’t look so angry. I’m going to forgive him, because I love him.
Daddy, remember that boy who took me to prom? I’m going to marry him tomorrow. It’s the flowers that did the trick, I think. The roses made me swoon and I fell right into his arms. No, dad, don’t look so severe. You know what made me choose him? Because when he promised you that he’d have me home by midnight, at 11:30, he took my hand, and led me off the ballroom to deliver me safely into my father’s care.
Tomorrow, you’ll be leading me down the aisle and I know you’ll be delivering me safely into his care. And love.
Sincerely,
your little girl
