This past Saturday I noticed. Your laugh began somewhere deep as you twirled around with your Daddy. What will you remember about your first Daughter & Daddy dance? Sparkles of goodness, I am certain. We shopped for a special dress with glitter and picked out matching silver shoes. The entire time, you told me, “I can’t wait for the Daughter-Daddy dance.” Because no outfit is complete without pink, you donned a pink headband and matching cardigan.
Hand in hand, you both walked in the entrance into the gymnasium ballroom. Red and white balloons welcomed your arrival. The dance music, bounce house, crafts, and a special dinner awaited you. I dropped you off, wondering what I wouldn’t witness. You later told me how you made a magic wand with sparkly stickers. And how you ate salad and pasta. And that you rode with Daddy on your first horse carriage ride.
When I came to pick you up, you said, “No, Momma, Daddy and daughter dance is not over. Please leave.” Initally it hurt my feelings, but when I witnessed you and your Daddy dancing, I understood.
This is what she wants to bottle up. That unconditional laughter and happiness. I am certain this moment will endure in her, even when she is all grown up. I am certain this moment she will remember.
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
Oh, how lovely! She looks so delighted!
This photo melts my heart. You truly captured happiness at its finest. So glad it was such a wonderful time for her. Beautiful memories!
Awwww! Love the photo too!
Aww so sweet. She will remember this always. Daddy’s girl 🙂 Love this.
My daughter has left for college. But she calls her dad and they chat for a long, long time. He provides a rare comfort in her life. This is a precious relationship, the foundation of who she will become in life. Shoes and all.
Yes she will remember this!!! How beautiful!! (And many tears from my end.)
Beautiful picture and beautiful blog post! I cherish all the wonderful daughter and father times with my girls and Dan. I don’t have a close relationship with my dad, so it warms my heart to see this.
Such moments reach out beyond memory altogether, sweeping us all into the eternal dance of love. So poignant how your little girl’s magical relationship with her father forms in the potential space that you provide, her princess self taking shape within the vessel of your containing soul.
Oh my goodness. That is a wonderful pictures. Your husband is SO handsome and she looks head-over-heels. Love this.
What a lovely memory this will always be. The photo captured the spirit of your post. Stopped by from
SITS. Have a wonderful day!
Lovely post, lovely picture!
Such a treasured moment. The picture is amazing and captures the joy and love and excitement so beautifully. So beautiful.
A precious moment captured at the perfect time! You’re right, it’s the best picture you’ve taken of Nandini!! Such a sweet post…tears here also!! Love you all!
Priceless! She is so beautiful. I often sit back and take these moments in. My daughter is only two, but as you know, growing up way too fast.
By the way, I forgot to say thanks for sharing your blog today on SITS! You are a very talented writer!
Jamie,
Thanks so much. These moments of laughter and joy must be treasured. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to record it. As time passes, my husband and I can certainly look back and say, Remember when? Immerse yourself in your 2 year old – it is a cliche, but it is true, time goes by too too fast.
Thanks for your comment.