For all of you fans of Brothers and Sisters…here are Kitty and Robert’s vows.

Robert: “Kitty, I ask you to marry me. To say I love you seems inadequate because I cannot imagine my life without you. Because when I’m cynical you give me hope. In times where I felt I was loosing my way you’ve been my guidepost. I love you more with each passing day, so I give you my hand, my heart, and my love. “

Kitty: “You are so many things to me… you’re this brilliant poised diplomat, and then your this really crazy romantic that just takes my breath away. And when you’re tired and when you’re stressed you get really grumpy. Then I can feel your head on my shoulder at night and I know you’re asleep and you’re so peaceful and you’re so vulnerable. I love all those parts so much that I want to have you as my partner for the rest of my life. Sick, healthy, rich, poor. As long as I’m with you I will be complete and that’s it. Oh, one more thing Robert…will you be my husband?”

And my very favorite part of the wedding was Nora’s response to the minister’s question about who gives this woman to be married! “She gives herself freely with my love and my blessing.”

“I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That’s getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition. I know. I’ve just been through one. Not my own, my daughter’s. Annie Banks Mackenzie. That’s her married name: Mackenzie. You fathers will understand. You have a little girl. An adorable little girl who looks up to you and adores you in a way you could never have imagined. I remember how her little hand used to fit inside mine. Then comes the day when she wants to get her ears pierced, and wants you to drop her off a block before the movie theater. From that moment on you’re in a constant panic. You worry about her meeting the wrong kind of guy, the kind of guy who only wants one thing, and you know exactly what that one thing is, because it’s the same thing you wanted when you were their age. Then, you stop worrying about her meeting the wrong guy, and you worry about her meeting the right guy. That’s the greatest fear of all, because, then you lose her. It was just six months ago that that happened here. Just six months ago, that the storm broke.” The words of George Banks in The Father of the Bride (Touchstone Pictures, 1991).

The whole wedding process can be overwhelming and even a bit traumatic for dad! After all, not only is he being replaced as the most important man in his daughter’s life but he has to foot the bill to make it happen!

Usually mom and daughter are very involved in the planning process sometimes leaving dad out until it comes time to pay the bill. Don’t forget to be thoughtful of dad’s feelings and try to include him in the decision making whenever possible!

The Keepsake has inexpensive gift to give to dad to show him your appreciation. The feature monogrammed handkerchiefs with a sweet poem titled, “My Dad, My Hero” on the card. You could either give it to him on your wedding day or maybe at your rehearsal dinner.