My Dad and I (circa June 1994) at my undergrad Graduation from Simon Fraser University.

I will come out and say it plain and simple – I am missing my Dad a lot right now.   Not wanting to be a “downer”, but it is true.   Though the wedding planning process has been fun and exciting and challenging and such, it has also brought me really bold-faced with the reality that when my wedding day comes in 14 days – he will not be there.    I know on that day, I will and do have a multitude of reasons to be happy on many many fronts, but I am going to be honest that with it will be tinged a hint of melancholy for those that will not be there.

I am SUPER blessed to have my Mom who has been incredibly supportive of Iain and I from the very beginning.    She has also been really supportive of us as we have gone through the excitement and challenges of developing the wedding plans.  We are also very glad that she is going to be able to join us from British Columbia along with my Aunt, both coming in from BC about 10 days before the wedding, for the wedding day and a bit afterwards.

That all being said, I just wish he was going to be there, to see the smile of pride on his face as he sits there with my Mom to witness his son marrying his best friend and the love of his life – much like it was when he married my Mom over 45 years ago.   Amongst other things – my Dad (and my Mom, too) showed me the example of how to be in a marriage – deeply committed, deeply loving and deeply giving – not only to each other but also to those around them.   The funny part of what was just mentioned is that he was a man of few words – so didn’t say “I love you” very often – but I knew it through his actions as his actions spoken louder than words.   The example of how to be in a marriage is something I hope to carry on through the many years ahead with Iain.     Many times over the last 12+ years I have wanted to call him and ask him a question, many times I have wanted to just hear his voice again, or to hear him say he was proud of me.   In the lead up to the wedding, I have wanted to talk to him and hear his wisdom again.   As I was talking with a friend recently I was excitedly speaking about the wedding and they asked when my Mom was arriving and I said “Mom and Dad will be….” and I stopped in mid-sentence and nearly “lost it” emotionally…. as it had been the first time in a long time that I have said something like that – having gotten used to not mentioning him in situations like that.

Dad, I know you will be there in spirit.   You will be there in the hearts and minds of those who knew you and loved you.   You are always remembered, always missed and always and forever loved.