To Fathers of the Bride

Dear Daddy, once her hero and the apple of her eye

Your best version of laughter and the reason you would cry

Your second miles and daddy-smiles, glad victim of her charms

Your ultimate contentment as you held her in your arms

Dear daddy, once her favorite guy and no one else came near

Or rivaled for the sweet affection of your daughter dear

And love would drive you from your rest to earn her bread and keep

But still you tip-toed in to kiss her or to watch her sleep

Dear daddy, she has found her love and it lies in another

Though it seems like just yesterday, once too you stole her mother

And surely once her daddy felt the way you feel today

As he replied ‘I do’ when they asked ‘who gives her away’

Dear daddy, hold your chin up, let her take your arm and smile

Thank God you lived to be the one to walk her down the aisle

And though today you give her to belong now to another

You'll always be her daddy; she will ever be your daughter

© Janet Martin