So many
thoughts and feelings are running through my mind and heart, as we get ever
closer to your wedding day. I know
I am normally an emotional woman who wears her heart on her sleeve; I
can rarely, if ever, hide how I feel.
If I thought I was going to be able to conceal my emotions at this time,
wow, was I mistaken. They bubble
up at the strangest times…in the shower, at the register at Five Below, even in
my dreams…
The one thing I
know for sure, I am absolutely unable to change that part of me. When I try to ignore the emotions I
feel, they just bust through like that proverbial bull in a china shop. Because of this, I am going to lay my
thoughts out here and hope that once they are written, I can be as normal as I
ever am. (Which is no where near
normal)
My daughter, in
less than a month, will be a bride.
It’s amazing to me, when I look back over the years how quickly they
have flown. It sounds so trite,
but it is so true. Lauren, I
remember Dr. Landsberg saying, “10:46, it’s a girl”, like it was
yesterday. Labor, when Pop came in
to say he loved me, listening to the Monday morning traffic as it whizzed by my
hospital room, all those memories…how can they be from so long ago when I
barely remember what I did last week?
My little girl, with the bonnets, to my best friend; you understand me
sometimes better than I understand myself (and vice versa). Since the day you were born, I thank
G-d for you and Michael, every single day. (I really do)
I don’t know
why your getting married is so extra emotional? You already live with your Sweetheart, the love of your
life. And, may I add at this point, that you made a perfect choice. A little aside to Alex here….as a Mom,
I couldn’t have chosen a better husband for Lauren. I am so thankful, so totally proud and thrilled to welcome
you as my newest son. I love you
and hope you know that I am honored to be your mother-in-law. I hope to not fit into the
stereotypical mother-in-law role.
Just know that even though I may be a pain sometimes…and I am certain
those times will come…that’s just me being a Mom ~ but always know, I love you. And always, just be you because it is your
love, caring and thoughtfulness that has brought a light to Lauren’s eyes that
fills my heart with joy.
Okay, now back
to why I feel so extra emotional…I look at you, Lauren, and I see such an
amazing woman! You are smart, you
are thoughtful, you are caring, you are funny and you have such a good
heart. And now, you will be a
married woman! Something about
that is so deep. I suppose because
Daddy and I have shared so much ~ good times, hard times, happy times, and sad
times, but always coming through together. I see the life and the history that we have made so far and
see you and Alex beginning that journey and I realize that you and he together
will now truly begin your new, married path. Even though your history started years ago, now is a new,
different kind of start. You will
be husband and wife, and that public, legal commitment does change things. I don’t know why it does, but it
does.
Our times
together, our talks are always without reservation. I don’t have to hold anything back when I talk to you. You know my heart and you feel my
thoughts. You always know me and I
always know you. Although that
won’t ever change, I want to tell you (even though I know you already know)
that you now have a primary responsibility to Alex. That’s the way it should be and that is the way I want it to
be for both of you. I know that
shift happened a long time ago, as it should have, but it is the formality of
your wedding day that brings that shift to the forefront.
I am just so
totally thankful that Alex is the man he is. Aside from the big things he does to make you happy, like
up-rooting his job and his home in NY to move to PA; it is the little things I
observe like going out of his way to get you a dessert you mentioned you found
interesting, bringing you flowers “just like this”, or saving his not spicy
tortilla chips so you can soothe your mouth after hot soup…. all without your
asking. It is those actions that
fill my heart with more happiness than I can say for I know that you will
always have someone by your side that puts you first. But that only works when you put him first. And that is what will make your lives
together a strong, beautiful, life-long love.
You are my
daughter, and that fact fills my heart with a love and pride that only grows
stronger and deeper with every second.
From the first time I held you I dreamed of all your milestones. Well, your wedding day is probably one
of the biggest. Just know that
Daddy and I will always be here for you and Alex. Whatever you both dream, we dream for you. Whatever you both hope, we hope,
too. Whatever we can do to help or
make your path easier, we are here to do so.
You are my
precious Lauren. Thank you for
being the most amazing, the most terrific, the most caring and the most perfect
daughter. You have always filled
my heart with love and now I look forward to added love with Alex. I look forward to sharing more
milestones as you and Alex thrive together.
Be happy
Baby. Always remember to put Alex
first, right up there with you.
Everything and everyone else is after that. I love you both always.
