Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and (insert name of husband here). I love being your dad and had a blast watching you grow up.
Thank you so much for serving pretzels as one of the appetizer choices and cheeseburgers for dinner. You know how to make your old man’s stomach and wallet happy.
Years ago, when you were only two years old, I decided what I was going to talk about during my speech at your wedding.
Your mom and I had been through a couple of rough days with you and your older brother and sister. It was a back-to-school night…you were in pre-school, and your brother was in kindergarten, but you had both missed the first couple days of class because of explosive diarrhea. (Point a random wedding guest) That guy’s been there.
The entire day was a struggle… there was lots of fighting in the house, and you were refusing to eat unless the options were graham crackers or graham crackers.
Due to the sanitation conditions, we were legally required to bath you 5-6 times throughout that day, and you took a nightcap shower with Mom before bed. You had nasty diaper rash and were super cranky. (Point at same guy) That guy’s there right now.
After your final shower that day, we walked into the kitchen where our speaker was playing It’s Your Song by Garth Brooks. This is the song that Mimi (your grandma) and I danced to on the night I married your mom.
I just held you close, danced with you in the kitchen, with tears in my eyes. You smiled at me, just like my mom did for me. It was awesome moment which I really needed that day.
Then Mom put you to bed…you’re a mama’s girl…you always have been. You love your mom as much as I do. But this night after she put you to bed, you started calling, “Dada, Dada.”
I went in your room, held you again, and sang our favorite song, which I’ll sing right now in front of all of your wedding guests:
“I Love you Katie Hope., Oh yes I do, I don’t love anything, as much as you. When you’re not here with me, I’m blue. Oh, Katie Hope, I love you.”
Any song requests? I’m here all night.
Congratulations on your wedding day. Now let’s go have some graham cracker wedding cake!