My Little Baby's All Grown Up, and Getting Married

Looking as if she had just stepped off a wedding cake, my lovely daughter, Britani Nicole, floated down the aisle this weekend into the arms of her prince, Simon, standing at the altar. When your baby has found The One, you know your own life is changed forever.

Held at Community Church of Greenwood, the small, intimate affair had a dreamy effect through the use of candlelight and plum calla lilies. My princess’ gown with rum-pink bead work gently sprinkled across it and the handmade veil were reminiscent of a bygone era. Her dark tresses were curled and flowed gracefully down her back. Certainly, Walt Disney has never created for his films a princess as beautiful as mine.

I attempted, before the ceremony, to describe to her in a mother-daughter moment, how much love I felt for her and found it ironic that as someone who writes weekly about strangers, I could not find the right words for this so-personal situation. I hope she understood my heart’s meaning, anyway.

I was honored, and humbled, by my child’s request that I walk her down the aisle. I now know how a dad feels when walking the last walk with your little girl. It was over so quickly, and yet memories of her childhood were able to race through my mind at a lightning speed.

Arriving into this world in 20 minutes flat, the 9-pound, 12-ounce bald baby let me know right away I would for- ever be twisted around her long elegant finger. With memories of stitches from a bike fall, dead pets (hermit crab), the American Girl sleeping bag incident, science projects, PTO meetings, talent contests, proms, boyfriends, moving to college, and now the wedding flooding my thoughts, I was overwhelmed with a bitter sweetness. Would I be on the sidelines now, forever watching from the bleachers as she steps boldly, as she always does, into her new life? Were these steps down the aisle the last steps I would take with her?
She smiled at me as she started to leave after the reception, and that smile said it all. “The last step in my life? Not likely, Mom. You are stuck with me, and we are just getting started with the really good stuff.”

So I know that although she has moved far away physically, she will always be right here with me. And one day, Princess Britani will contact me via her cell phone, announcing through an ultrasound photo, that she will be giving me a grandchild. Until then, I will be content to know that God chose me, and no one else, to be her mother and share this joyous ride of her life.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.