MIXED EMOTIONS

MIXED EMOTIONS

Last Wednesday was my daughter Mary Nicole's Junior-Senior Prom. It was a big thing for everyone. I know she bought a dress courtesy of my sister, her A-ko Adeline, but I've never really seen my princess in her dress and all made-up...I waited with some anticipation....

Then she went down the stairs.....and I was awed and amazed at how she looked...my first baby was now a lady and a beautiful one at that.....I couldn't help wondering how someone who looks like me could produce someone who looks like Nikki or Nicole....she's also smart and very talented....I guess Dinah had a lot to do with that....and the Lord really does love me.

I teased her that I wanted to be her escort...to guard her against possible unwanted intrusions (just kidding boys)...but I knew I had to let go and trust my dear princess for this one night...so that she might enjoy this important milestone in her life.

We brought her to her JS Prom early as she was one of the performers that night. I wanted to stay...but I knew I had to leave her...

So I and my wife went back to pick her up after 4-5 hours. We didn't let her know that we were already there...we decided to let her enjoy the rest of the night.

On our way home, we decided to have coffee first...then we asked her about the Prom...she told us about her classmates' expensive gowns amounting to tens of thousands and their hair and make-up, also in the thousands.....I felt a little embarrassed.... as I hardly spent anything for her Prom.....she did her own make-up....she had a chance to buy an expensive dress courtesy of her A-ko, but she chose one that was modestly priced.....and so I asked her how she felt hearing those stories...she said...she was okay, she felt nothing in particular...she was just very happy!

I stared at her...saw how beautiful she looked....and I felt so proud at how understanding and mature she had become.

So in one night...courtesy of my lovely daughter...I was amazed....I was embarrassed....and as always...I was proud to be her father!

God bless you Nicole! Daddy loves you so much!