THIS POST CONTAINS BIG NEWS SO DON’T MISS IT!
Sometimes life is bittersweet. I don’t know how many of you cry your eyes out when you hear the song Butterfly Kisses, but I do. Maybe I’m overly sentimental, but I cry about this song as much as I cry over Father of the Bride movies. I’m a daughter, of course, but I am also the mom of two daughters. I would put the video here but it is restricted, so if you want to cry along with me (come on, I know some of you want to…), you can click here. Go ahead, I’ll wait…I’m listening to it myself right now, and tears are already falling in my keyboard.
When I hear “Butterfly Kisses” I shut my eyes and memories of my beautiful little girls run through my mind…
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
And I thank God for all of the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all for…
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Stickin’ little white flowers all up in her hair
“Walk beside the pony Daddy, it’s my first ride
I know the cake looks funny Daddy but I sure tried”
It doesn’t matter if I am in an elevator, the grocery store or in the car, this song gets me every time. Big tears well up in my eyes, my lip starts quivering and my life as a mom flashes before my eyes… I see my little girls, their long eyelashes fluttering on mine as they kissed me goodnight, I see them giggling, riding ponies, dancing around in princess dresses, I can feel their chubby five year old arms wrapped tenderly around my neck, their soft cheek on my cheek, and suddenly in the blink of an eye they are 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, sweet sixteen…
Sweet sixteen today
And she’s lookin’ like her mamma a little more every day
One part woman, the other part girl
To perfume and make-up, from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world
But I remember…
Then comes the part of the song where I actually start wailing out loud…
She’ll change her name today
and she’ll make a promise and I’ll give her away
Standing in the bride room just staring at her
She asked me what I’m thinking and I said “I’m not sure,
I just feel like I’m losing my baby girl”
And she leaned over…and gave me…
Butterfly kisses with her mamma there
Stickin’ little white flowers all up in her hair
“Walk me down the aisle Daddy, it’s just about time
Does my wedding gown look pretty Daddy? Daddy don’t cry”
Right now, as I am listening to this part of the song, the words sink into my heart like never before because this August I will be seeing my little girl, my oldest daughter, walk down the aisle as (ok, choking back the big tears now) a beautiful bride.
There. I said it. My daughter is engaged. After four years of dating this young man, with our permission and blessing, he asked her to be his wife. Along with a beautiful ring, he presented her with the only flowers he has ever given her. He had told her when they started dating that he would only give flowers to the girl he was going to marry, and true to his commitment, the night he proposed he showered his bride-to-be with five dozen roses. He is a keeper.
She tried on wedding dresses last weekend (yes, I cried when they put a veil on her head) and as she stood up on the platform, some ladies gathered around her in awe, saying she looked just like a porcelain doll. She is a china doll. That was my baby up on the platform, wearing that veil, my first born, and I have to give her away. Life will change forever when she walks down that aisle. It will be bittersweet.
Truly, we are so happy for her, so proud of her, so pleased about her fiance and their plans. They are an amazing young couple. But I have to admit this is tough on her dad and me. Because we remember those butterfly kisses like they were only yesterday.
Stay tuned, I’m sure there will be more tears to come. But happy tears. Happy tears.
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
Here are more wedding posts:
Countown to the Wedding: Remodeling the Beach House
DIY Wedding Cupcakes
Candy Bar
Congratulations to all of you. What a wonderful news to share with all your readers. Does it seem like yesterday when you walked down the aisle. The young man she is going to marry seems a real gentleman and a keeper.
Good luck to both of them and a box of kleenex to you and your hubby.
Congratulations your daughter’s engagement!!
On my daughter’s first birthday, we had a small party for her at our city’s Butterfly Conservatory. She had so much fun running after the butterflies and the location also appealed to the older family members. Because of the birthday party theme, my husband and I gave her the book “Butterfly Kisses” and asked everyone who has at the party to sign it.
Time has gone by so quickly. She is now a rambunctious four-year old. I can only imagine how quickly the rest of her childhood is going to go….I am going to give her an extra butterfly kiss tomorrow when she wakes up in the morning in honour of your post!!!!
Dear Melissa, I didn’t have to listen to the song. I have tears in my eyes, just from reading your lovely words.
I am so happy for your daughter and for you, even though you have to have tears. Yes, bitter sweet. And lovely. And a right of passage for a Mother. And all those things.
Be soooo happy that you are happy with the young man. We all know that not all planned marriages bring happiness to the Mama. So if we have it, we should be doubly happy.
Lots and lots of gentle hugs to you… Who will be a lovely Mother of The Bride too, I’m sure. Oh and please share with us, what you are planning to wear. The Bride is the star of that day, we know. But …. In this case…. ‘Tis the Bride’s Mama who is closest to our hearts.
))))
Hugs,
Mari-Nanci
{‘Breaking Dawn’ is coming in 96 days…}
You commented on my blog, that you would like to turn off Word Verification but don’t know how to, on Word Press. I don’t see any Word Verification, so maybe you turned if off.
But I have a blogger friend who is on Word Press. If you still have any problems, would you like me to ask her, if she’s willing to help you with them? I’d be glad to. In fact, I already asked Amy. {I’m am such a *quick one,* with some things. And so slow, with others.} ,-)
If you’d like me to put you in contact with Amy, please say so in a comment in my blog. And I’ll do it, quick as a wink.
Please don’t forget to share what the Mother of The Bride will be wearing. Yes, I’m going to *hound* you, on this! -giggles-
Mari-Nanci
{‘Breaking Dawn’ is coming in 96 days…}
Dear Meli,
We are overjoyed for you! Happy tears here in the Nest! You are such a wonderful Mom and you are going to be a wonderful Mother-in-law to that special young man! How exciting, bittersweet, I understand that
But a whole new chapter will open up in your lives now. And she will ALWAYS be your baby 
Hugs and much love Melissa, we look forward to every single step!!
Jenn and Jacqui
xoxo
Best wishes to you and your daughter!!!
Hi Melissa , Congratulations on your daughter’s engagement !
I want to thank you for visiting my blog and for the warm welcome . Please visit often , I love company !
I love your blog and it is going to be a keeper !
Theresa
Congratulations Melissa! Such exciting news. I love that song too and can’t imagine the day my girls or my boys are ready to be married. But I have to say – you look way to young to have a daughter that’s getting married. What’s your secret?
Congratulations! But please!!!! My baby is 17 and I’m not ready for this. sob.
Have you ever heard the song Sunrise Sunset – from Fiddler on the Roof? omg – that one makes me heave -
“i don’t remember growing older, when did they?”"
oooh. At least you’ll have grandbabies soon!!!!
what a wonderful thought!
I don’t know how your husband will make it down the aisle. That has to be the hardest thing for a daddy to do. at least the mother is busy with all the details of the day. Will you put up the engagement pictures? I’d love to see your daughter and fiance! And he does sound like a keeper.
congratulations, my friend.
Oh Melissa, this is so precious! i haven’t heard that song before but I am getting teary listening to it.
Your post is so beautiful and heart-felt. Keep us posted on the wedding progress, I am sure you will have more ‘moments’ like the one in the dress shop, I’d love to read about them xoxo
Melissa: Even though my “baby’s” being married 10 years (how can that be?), she’s still my baby and I still miss her! Although we don’t live far apart, talk every day, see each other 2-3 times a week, I still miss her! Right after she got married, I opened the refrigerator door one morning and there was her chocolate pudding cup on the door….I cried like a baby. BUT the wonderful thing is, she has grown to be an awesome woman, wife and mother and I’m so proud of her. Life goes on, just a little different, and wait for those grandchildren, there’s nothing like it! This past weekend at the beach, me, my baby Shannon, and HER baby Taylor (my heart) all slept in one big bed and that time was soooo sweet. I woke up with Taylor’s little hands on my face saying “MiMi wake up!”
Congratulations on the engagement….now you have lots of things to get ready for, have fun with your “little girl” getting ready for the big event!!!
Judy
Aw, thanks everyone for your sweet sentiments!!!! Wow, THANK YOU!!! YOU ARE ALL MY BFF! Thank you, I’m really touched by your comments….
xoxox
Twitter: thisisglamorous
says:
Congratulations, again, Melissa. So excited and happy for you!
xo
I understand exactly how you feel. I burst into tears when I saw my daughter in the first wedding dress that she tried on in the shop.
Where have I been??? Congrats! and may you have lots of Happy Tears!
Melissa,
Congratulations! I’ve had such a harried weekend and I was saving your blog for when I had time to savor it. *sigh* I wish I had read it ealier.
That was the song my dad picked for our dance when I got married in 1996, so I always tear up whenever I hear it.
I hope the two of them are very happy together!
Oh sniffle sniffffffle!!! Congratulations to everyone!!! xoxoxo
ohh melissa, this post really tugged at my heart and tears almost welled up as I imagine how it would be like when I give my little girl away one day….
Congrats! Know we have never met, think your daughter is really lucky to have a mom like you! xoxoox
Hello Dear Friend,
i understand every word perfectly well, enjoy,treasure and relish every single emotion, moment and experience of this time. Will be thinking and praying for you during it all!
love julia
This song has that effect on my husband, as well.
I am so happy for you and for your family in that it sounds like the new “son” that you will get in August is a “keeper”.
I love the significance he placed on the flowers.
Becky K.
Congratulations to you all! How exciting! Hopefully you will include us in all of the planning – I am sure that if her taste is anything like yours every detail will be beautiful and simply perfect.
Heather
Congratulations! Our baby daughter b ecame engaged on Valentine’s Day. They have dated for about 9 years-through high school, college and graduate school. We are so looking forward to our second son in law.
Such a joyous moment and such a lovely post Melissa! Congratulations and a huuge hug!
happy celebrations to you all melissa!!
a big celebration is coming along for you…
i’m sure you’re going to make a never-to-forget decor on your daughter’s wedding day!
Such wonderful news! Certainly an occasion to celebrate – and a bittersweet time to be mom, right? Happy for her, but hard to see your “baby” as a grown-up bride. Wishing a world of happiness to your daughter and her lucky fiance. xo
Melissa–
Such exciting news for your daughter and your family! Wow. I have to say it, though: you look WAAAAY too young to be the “mother of the bride”!!!
I know it’s going to be a beautiful and special day and I hope you share all the great details leading up to it with us.
Talk to you soon!
–Abby
{sniff sniff}. i always tell moms of little girl, ” don’t blink – or they’ll get married.” i guess you blinked
lylah ledners inspiring blog post..how to do a princess party – in style
wow. I just told my dad this weekend that my boyfriend of nearly 4 years and I want to get married this summer (in about 40 days or so… so we’re staying simple) and he wishes we would wait (i’m 19.) and says it’s too soon for me to grow up. I haven’t had the wedding dress experience, but I hope I do. Your story was beautiful, that is the song I picked for my dad and I to dance to.
WOW Melissa! You had me bawling over this post, and I don’t even have a daughter! Seriously, tears are running down my face and Jack probably thinks his mom is crazy right now!
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