With quiet music in the background, I pulled her close and took her hand, it trembled. I was nervous.
For me, we were the only two people in the expansive banquet hall.
I was oblivious to the flashing lights, the crowded dance floor and the flock of moms, dads and grandparents scrambling around taking photos.
Despite the chaos around us, we found our own little area of solitude.
We gently rocked back and forth on the dance floor holding each other tight. Neither one of us is ready to say good-bye.
As a tear rolled down my cheek I realized this truly was a moment I did not want to end — I did not want to let my daughter go.
Finally, I pulled her close and I whispered in her ear, “I will remember this moment forever. I love you.”
It was the first dance of my daughter’s prom and when she asked me to dance I felt the butterflies in my stomach.
It meant the world to me to see she wanted to share this evening with her dad.
I was overwhelmed, but I should not have been surprised.
True, this is the daughter who is embarrassed when her dad sings in the car, takes the garbage out in his pajamas, or jumps on her bed to wake her up in the morning.
This is the daughter who still goes “eewww” when her mom and dad kiss in the kitchen or hold hands going for a walk — apparently public displays of affection are not cool.
But this is also the daughter who still crawls under the blankets to watch a movie with her dad on the couch or come get a much-needed hug after a long day.
If anything I should have been surprised with my own reaction.
I honestly expected my wife to be the blubbering idiot throughout the two days of grad.
Especially when our new graduate brought the rose to her mom after receiving her diploma I thought the missus would be inconsolable.
Instead it was me — the man — who was dealing with all the emotions. It was me who needed the tissue.
It was a wonderful day and I was so proud to see my young daughter achieve her goals.
Unfortunately, after how I responded at her graduation I am a little concerned about how I will react when I drop her off at university in the fall.
Honey, we are so proud, but if anyone asks your dad was not crying, it was just allergies.
