Are you Ready?
I once attended a wedding where the bride had a panic attack right as she was walking down the aisle. She froze, started shaking, and just kept saying “no, no, no.” Unfortunately, this didn’t happen until she was already in front of everyone, and her dad decided that the best thing he could do was pull/push her down the aisle until she walked on her own. I was nowhere near being engaged, but when I got home I told my dad about the bride who shook and sobbed her way down the aisle at the urging of her dad and told him, “Never do that to me!”
When I got engaged, my dad would check in with me every now and then about if I still wanted to get married. I would be hastily making paper flowers or coming home from a dress fitting, and he would sit beside me and ask, “Are you still feeling good about everything? This is still what you want? You still want to do it right now?”
My dad was so happy for me, and for Chris. He had given his blessing before Chris proposed, and he was thrilled to have Chris joining our family. But he understood that marriage was about so much more than just a party with all of your friends, and he wanted me to be free to change my mind or postpone such a big decision without feeling like I was letting everyone down. “Just say the word, and I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry about money. I’ll rent a storage unit and put everything in there until you’re ready. If you change your mind at any point, even the day of, just say the word.” That’s a gift that every dad should give their daughter.
The night before my wedding, at the rehearsal, we were walking through the music cues for the ceremony. My dad and I were standing in the back behind the doors, waiting on the moment where the music would change and they would open. And he told me, “This is your moment. Don’t worry about missing your cue…they can play this song as many times as they need to. These doors don’t open until you’re ready for them to open.” He turned to the people who would be opening the doors the next day. “Make sure you don’t open them until she says she’s ready.”
The day of my wedding, the song started, but the doors didn’t open right away. Before they did-before they opened and I saw Christopher’s face and I walked toward him to be his wife and join him on an adventure I never could have imagined, my dad asked me one last time. In a moment I will never forget, he turned to me-me, so nervous and excited and already crying a little bit-beaming with love and pride, and said, “Are you ready?”
Everyone says you should make a playlist for when you’re in labor. Calm songs that make you happy, that take your mind off of everything. I was drinking coffee this morning while listening to my playlist-trying to will this baby out into the world-and the song my dad walked me down the aisle to came on.
Instantly, I was transported back to that moment. How Pachelbel’s Canon in D played while the doors swung open and I took a walk with my dad. How I wore the prettiest dress and joined Christopher at the front of the church and promised to love him forever. How we joined together and decided there was no one else we would rather do life with. And how, before any of that, my dad asked me one last time: “Are you ready?”
The answer was yes, even though I had no idea what I was saying yes to. The answer has been yes ever since. And now, two days before baby Jack is due to make his way into the world, as the same song is playing from my phone, I find myself asking the same question: “Are you ready?”
I wish I could go back three years and see myself standing there with my dad. I’d give her a tissue (and maybe a shot of whiskey to calm her nerves) and when the question came, I’d whisper in her ear: “Yes, yes, the answer is yes. To the good and the bad-because they will both come-the answer is a resounding yes. To the adventures and the moving and the late nights and the dreams you will chase together…the answer is yes. To loving each other in sickness and in health and in times when Chris refuses to give you a straight answer about when he’ll be home, the answer is yes. To trying to learn how to be a good wife and to ruining dinner at least twice a week, the answer is yes. And to the babe who will unexpectedly be growing inside of you three years from now….the answer is yes. Say yes. You have no idea how good it’s going to be.”
Yes. The answer is yes.
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Oh my gosh that bride literally starting saying no down the aisle – how crazy! Her poor husband!! Oh my gosh two days until due date!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Love this~!
What a sweet post, and your dad what a guy. I think it's so wonderful he gave you the gift of unwavering support out loud.
And that poor girl saying no, I wish I could hug her.
YOU'VE GOT THIS LADY! I am ready to follow your new journey!
This is so beautiful! I loved every word!
Your Dad! Oh, he just sounds wonderful. What a wonderful Grandpa he will make. ๐
This is so sweet! I had a very similar conversation with my dad before we walked down the aisle together. It's moments like those that you can look back on a think, "Yea, I'm ready. I've got this." We can't wait to meet the babe!
oh, I can tell with this post that you are ready mama. you are so ready for all that will come with being a mom. and your dad will continue to be wonderful, but now he'll get to be a grandpa and share all that goodness with your baby! sending you labor vibes as I write this!
My dad did this for me too and I will forever be grateful for him! Having someone who has loved you before you even knew what love was telling you it's all going to be okay and that he's there for you is so beautiful and wonderful and comforting! I loved this post!!
Such a sweet and beautiful post – made me start to tear up! ๐
I always feel bad when I have no comment other than I love this. But I do, I really love it. The look back to your wedding and the moments with your dad, and what you'd say to you if you could go back. I love it all.
Love, love, love this post!
I love this so much. Your dad is such a wonderful father! You can see the joy he has for you and your husband on his face in those pictures! I'm like you- I didn't question my love for my husband or my choice to marry him- but the fact that my parents never questioned Kyle was such a blessing, too. They were so happy to add another son to the family and our wedding day was such a wonderful celebration for everyone ๐ What an AWESOME grandpa little Jack is going to have!
This is such a sweet post. It teared me up! Your dad sounds like such a special man. And oh my goodness – that bride being dragged down the aisle? That would be an interesting wedding, for sure.
Sniff sniff xxxx Such a beautiful story
I feel like I should tell you that for some reason whenever I comment on Blogger blogs, the "notify me" option does not show up initially, so if you've ever replied to my comments I haven't received the replies. Hahaha So I am adding my own reply now and checking the "notify me" that now appears here just in case ๐ xx
Aw, such a beautiful post today! You're so lucky to have such a great Dad, mine is the same way and would do anything for me. Thanks for sharing!
Well this is the sweetest thing I've ever read.
This is so fantastic! My husband and I married two days after our engagement at City Hall so we didn't have time for nerves or second-thoughts to hit us (that was 5 years ago) so I can't really relate to THAT MOMENT but that's such a sweet memory to treasure.
ahh! this made me tear up so much! so beautiful.
Robin | robineylea.com
Omg, what a nightmare- happy that didn't happen to you. The pics are gorgeous, btw! Such a happy day!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
wow. I love this so much. I recently got engaged over thanksgiving, and of course the planning is in full swing. sometimes I find myself getting so extremely overwhelmed with everything. Not overwhelmed in a way that I'm not sure I want to marry my fiancรฉ, more overwhelmed in a way that I sometimes want to run away and get married just him and me on a private beach in flip flops and a maxi dress. I want a beautiful wedding just like every girl does, but more so than that I just want to me with this amazing man forever. when I get overwhelmed i try to remind myself that all the other stuff is just extra. Finding the person I want to be with a building a solid foundation with him is what's most important.
Honestly tho, how sweet is your father? what a guy.
what a WONDERFUL gift your dad gave you! and i love how you tie it to the birth of your first child… this is amazing!
Congrats! That is such a cute story! Though Im still worried about the girl with the panic attack!
xoxo
Novelstyle๏ปฟ
What a beautiful story and sentiment! Sounds like you have a wonderful dad!
That is probably the sweetest thing I've read in a very long time! xo.
Almost teared up a little reading this! (Aida just gave me a couple of kicks so she must have liked it as well :)) And good idea about the music playlist, I will definitely be following that advice.
This is so beautiful, I'm glad you shared. I remember my dad saying those things to me too, making sure I knew he was there no matter what. So sweet.
Shea | http://www.shealennon.com
This made me tear up! I love this so much. My dad passed away before I got married, but we were super close & I talked to him about everything. I know that he would have done the same exact thing as your dad. Such a sweet memory for you to have! And I love the idea of having a playlist when you're in labor. I'll have to keep that in mind for one day!
So sweet! I thought the girl in beginning was going to be you! I was so nervous the morning of my wedding and was not calm until the moment I walked down the aisle!
Beautiful post! Dads are the best. It's funny you mentioned taking a shot of whiskey to calm your nerves…I actually did.
Such a beautiful story. You truly have the gift of writing a gorgeous narrative. What a sweet daddy you have. Jack will be here so soon and you'll be the best mom ever ๐
Such a sweet, sweet post. I love the relationship dads have with their little girls, and you illustrated it beautifully. Its even better now seeing my husband have such a sweet relationship with our little girl. It melts my heart all over again!
Such a sweet story! And what beautiful pictures. Oh wow, two days until the due date!! So exciting!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
OMG, I couldn't imagine being dragged down the aisle while I was protesting. It sounds absolutely horrifying. Your dad sounds so sweet. My dad cracked a joke and told me it was my last chance to run before we went down the aisle. I have no regrets whatsoever, and it sounds like you're in the same boat. All the best welcoming your little bundle into the world.
This post made me get teary eyed. Your dad sounds wonderful – and your writing is amazing. Best wishes for you in the next couple of days!
This is too sweet, I always love listening to how much you love Chris and your beautiful pics of your wedding! Unfortunately, I was a bridesmaid in a wedding like the one you were mentioning. She was in tears while we were getting ready which is supposed to be such a happy and exciting time with your friends. And her dad said you're going through with this, I've already paid xxxx money! Not even 6 months later they were filing for divorce. So sad! So, I love hearing stories like yours <3
Green Fashionista
Such a beautifully written post, friend! Definitely made me want to hug my dadโthey're the best, aren't they?
xoxo
Kat
What a wonderful post!! My dad reassured me the same way and it was such a great reminder that he had my back no matter what!
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
SO CUTE. BABY JACK COME OUT SO WE CAN ALL MEET YOU! Sorry for yelling.
What a sweet story (but oh gosh that poor girl!) – Yay for being so close!!
I can't imagine being at a wedding and hearing the bride say "no, no, no." My dad asked me about a million times if I was ready too. It is one of the things I remember most about wedding prep. I love the photo of you and your dad beaming! Hope baby Jack makes his appearance soon. ๐
This is one of my favorite posts of yours yet! My dad asked roughly a million times as well, but one night as the stress got to me, my husband said he would tell everyone to stay home and we'd forget all the work and just go get married. That was a double clincher for me!
Awwwww! This post gave me the chills! Definitely one of my favorites! I'm so sad to hear about that poor girl who sobbed as she walked down the aisle. That's not exactly how I would want my wedding to go.
I don't recall being asked by anyone if I was ready. Haha! I remember having doubts in the months leading up to it, but I always talked with my then fiance about it and felt better afterwards. After the third month of engagement, about a month before we were to be married, Andrew pointed out to me that the times when I would doubt always occurred during that "special time of the month." I laughed and didn't really doubt anymore after that, and never have I doubted that decision since!
I love that you're likening your baby arriving to your marriage. They are very similar things. HUGE commitments. Huge, beautiful, painful, wonderful, emotional commitments that change your life forever, in a very good way!
Okay, I just sat and bawled at this. So embarrassed. What a beautiful story. Your dad is amazing! You've got this, lady.
This totally made me cry. Such a beautiful post!
Aww!! Chelsea, this is utterly beautiful!! You will be such an amazing mom! And I totally remember the moment right before my dad and I went down the aisle – so exciting!
Sweetest post ๐ I hope my dad is as strong as yours when I get to this point in my life!
Your dad will be as wonderful of a grandfather as he is a dad it sounds!
This is perfect. And I might have teared up reading it. Oh and you will be an amazing mama!!!!
I shed a little tear while reading this ๐ I'm thinking about you this week. So many happy, positive thoughts heading your way. You are going to be wonderful.
This is such a beautiful story Chelsea! The way you told it and how your Dad was so sweet and always checked in with you, especially that one final time, bought a tear to me eye. You look so stunning and so happy! Xx
Oh my gosh this is just beautiful. Your Dad sounds amazing, and I am so glad you said yes! (:
This definitely made me sniffle at my desk! SO beautifully written, as ever, Chelsea x
Sophie Cliff
loved this. beautiful!!
This just made me cry. I seriously LOVE your writing, you make me feel all the feelings. So sweet, you're going to be the best mom!
What an awkward wedding to attend. My parents asked me the same question several times during our engagement too. I certainly didn't know what I was getting myself into but I knew I'd be okay with who I was living life with…
Aaaand I'm bawling over here. (Also just texted my dad, "love you") ๐ You are going to be one AMAZING mom, Chelsea!!
I'm such a daddy's girl and this is such a sweet story. Yes to it all!
This is beautiful! I will say that even if you were to ask yourself while you're in labor "Are you ready?" it would probably still feel like you aren't. But I can promise you that God prepares you every step of the way to be ready EXACTLY when you need to be! You're going to do great:)
Yikes, that sounds like an awkward wedding to be a guest at! I don't think you have a choice to say "no" to being ready for this baby since he'll be here any minute, but it'll be wonderful ๐ This post was so sweet, way to get all of our emotions going!
Goodness this post made me cry. I'm such a daddy's girl, and the sweet memory you shared between you and your dad just really moved me. What a wonderful man, his love for you is apparent to all of us who have never even met him.
Happy almost due date!!! ๐
What a beautiful post! I will be getting married in September and am sure my Dad and I will have a conversation like this. Stopping by from Becca Dorr's blog!
This made me tear up a little. It's so cool that your dad was so supportive of your engagement, but also made sure that it was still what you wanted. The pictures of the two are you are so sweet… I especially love the first one in this post.
loved reading this! So glad bloglovin' suggested that we be blogging friends! haha. Super excited to be following along now!