Wedding Day part 2

Recently I wrote about the fragrance of the rose and my daughter’s wedding day.  I never did talk about the rose, nor the fragrance of the rose, that day.  When it is my turn to speak to the bride and groom, I stood there gazing at my beautiful Jennifer and for some reason, I knew that what I had prepared was not a fit for the occasion.  My Jennifer did not need to hear a prewritten rehearsed speech from her dad, no matter how good it might have been.  She needed to hear something that came straight from her father’s heart.  So there she stood…radiantly beautiful…I will have to post some photos when there in….and the setting only added to the incredible beauty of this amazing day…(the wedding took place at Mohonk Mountain House)…where was I?...As I began to speak, I remembered an incident that took place on that same mountain, twenty-one years earlier…and here is what I shared on her wedding day:

“Twenty-one years ago, your mother and I took you for a hike on this same mountain.  Your little brother David, then six months old was on my back, mom had your older brother Jonathan’s hand…he was taking the lead, but not really knowing where he was going…and I had your hand as we traversed the rocks on our way to the crevice, otherwise known as the famous Mohonk Lemon Squeeze. We had two friends with as well, a young man named Barry who I met in seminary and his finance. This was their first time to see Mohonk.  

Having climbed up to and through the crevice many times before you were born, we didn’t think that taking you and your brothers, really posed any real difficulty or threat.  It was a beautiful day, much like today.  The sky was clear, the sun was shining, and the views were breathtaking as usual…it was a beautiful Mohonk day.  Mom and I wanted you and your brothers to experience this beautiful mountain at as early an age as possible...we just love it here…it is where we first fell in love…now it is a place that you love and are creating a memory that will last a life-time…what fairy tale! 

            As we began our ascent to the crevice, in about thirty minute into our climb, a dense fog began to close in on us.  It came, seemingly out of nowhere and within seconds we could hardly see our hand in front of our face.  The situation was one of the most dangerous I have ever experienced.  The rocks, now wet, became treacherously slippery and the fog made it almost impossible to continue.  To wait could bring disaster…fog on this mountain could last for days and it would probably only become worse, as I had seen many times before.  The decision that I had to make was the most difficult decision in my life…I had to quickly give you into the hands of another man to protect you.  I asked Barry if he would carry you while I led the way with David on my back, holding on to moms hand, who was holding on to Jonathan’s hand, who was holding on to Barry’s hand who was carrying you and holding on to his fiancée’s hand.  In order to keep you safe that day, I had to place you into the hands of another man to protect you…it was the hardest thing I ever did as a dad.

            Today, I am placing you into the hands of another man…a man whom I know will love you and protect you…I man who will lay down his life for you…

            So, today I am doing the second most difficult thing I have ever done as a dad…I am giving you into the hands of another man, to protect you, love you, cherish you, give his life for you if needed.  Jared I am giving you my daughter to love and protect and I could not think of a better man to entrust her to.  May our Lord Jesus use your beautiful relationship to bring much joy to so many…this truly is like a fairy tale…God bless you both.  I love you.

Dad.