- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
This is an emotional post for me. I’ve dreaded writing it because every time I think about it, I start crying… I’m crying now. But it’s important for me to write because it was one of the most memorable moments from our wedding… an unplanned moment, even. And I really do want to share it with you.
My Papa (grandpa) was my hero. He was one of those guys that you instantly liked and respected. He had a no nonsense, selfless, and fun loving way about him that just drew people in. About 4 years ago, he was diagnosed with multiple types of cancer. By the time my wedding came around he had already had 2 brain surgeries and lost his ear to the cancer- but he was in a sort of remission. Because of his pride and goal to get better, he had refused to see anyone but our immediate family since getting sick. But he willingly pushed it aside for our wedding. And a few songs into the dance floor opening up, “American Girl” by Tom Petty came on and my Papa grabbed my hands and pulled me into the center of the dance floor.
Press Play:
My Papa and I hadn’t danced since I was a little girl
And here he was swinging me around the dance floor… and to Tom Petty, no less.
Everyone cleared from the dance floor and just gave us our moment. But I hadn’t even noticed until I got our pictures back. Because it was just us…
… laughing and dancing and having one of the absolute best moments of my life.
As the song drifted to an end… I hugged him with every ounce of love inside of me.
This was my Papa. The person I strive to be like. The man who did the artwork on all my birthday cakes and brought me bento boxes full of rice balls and Japanese food during my grade school lunches. He went to every soccer match and taught me how to drive his car. He called me Baby, Josie, George… none of which are my name. 
My Papa passed away last April. Shortly after the wedding, his cancer came back and attacked every part of his body from his legs to his brain again.
He fought it until the end, again providing an amazing example to me of what to do in that situation. I miss him so much—but am even more glad that he no longer has to suffer.
As he exited the dance floor he hugged my mom, something he hadn’t done since my parents were together some 20 years ago…
… and then embraced my dad.
I’m so blessed that our wedding was so full of love.
On our way to our honeymoon the next day, I sat in the airplane looking out the window, just playing that moment over and over again in my head. At one point Mr. Espresso grabbed my hand, and as I looked over at him, he started talking about how great that moment was… our minds were on the same page. Mr. E had become like another grandson to my Papa; and I always felt a sense of pride watching the two of them talk and connect on their views of working hard, life, and Wienerschnitzel.
When I visited my Grandma Chicken this last Christmas, she handed me a present my Papa had made for me while he was sick. He had taken a pine cone from our wedding and painted white on each tip to make it look like snow. He then placed a bow and wire on it and had turned it into an ornament for our tree.
This was the kind of man he was. I miss him. My entire family does. But now I have these pictures, this song, this post… to always help me remember this moment.
Embrace your wedding… your family…
Embrace what it’s really all about.
Thanks for letting me write about my Papa.
Miss something? Catch up here:
Weekend Mountain Wedding: And We Danced
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Cheers!
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Details, Details, and More Details
Weekend Mountain Wedding: an Abandoned House and an Open Field
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Bridge, Part 2
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Bridge, Part 1
Weekend Mountain Wedding: It’s All Relative
Weekend Mountain Wedding: A Whole Lot of Love
Weekend Mountain Wedding: We Say I Do!!!
Weekend Mountain Wedding: A Walk Beneath the Pines
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Procession of Little Black Dresses
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Clock Strikes Two
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Dress Comes On
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Fancy Men at Dreamland
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Time to Get Beautified
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Morning Time
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Fancy vs. Not Fancy at the Rehearsal
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Day Before
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Proof That It Did In Fact Happen
All photos by the amazingly talented Sandra Salisbury
Thank you so much for sharing this, Mrs. Espresso. What a beautiful post. I was trying to hold back my tears at work, but I couldn’t. You and your Papa’s love for each other really shows in these photos, and you’re so lucky to have them as a memento.
What a beautiful recap Espresso! I absolutely love it! You can just feel the love and joy radiating out of these photos. Your papa sounds like he was an amazing, thoughtful man.
That is a beautiful story and the pictures are priceless. I am so happy you got to share that moment with him…thank you for sharing it with us!
I love this post. And I’m crying. What a special person and how blessed are you to have known and been loved by him.
All of my great grand parents and all but one fo my grandparents died before I was 10 years old, and I always wish I could have had more time with them. You are a lucky girl!
What an amazing man your papa was! And you’re a very lucky girl to have had such a wonderful grandfather. I’m so glad you had this moment with him. I cried through the whole post, but really lost it when I got to the ornament. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Oh my goodness, what a touching post! I’m so glad you got to share that moment with your papa!
So sorry for your loss, Mrs. Espresso. Your post and the pictures are very telling of how much he meant to you and how much you meant to him.
Thank you so much for sharing! The pictures are wonderful. Had me balling like a bay the entire post because it reminded me of my Grams. That’s so wonderful that you got the ornament!
tears of happiness and joy are rolling down my face. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and inspiration man in your life, with all of us.
Like everyone else…totally tearing up at work. What a wonderful story! I’m so glad you have these pictures to remember such an awesome moment.
I held back the tears until I got to the pine cone part. That’s so awesome.
Mrs. Espresso, this was such a touching post. Thank YOU for sharing the story and the beautiful, happy pictures.
Thank you for sharing such a special moment. I am now also in tears, but am so glad you got to share that last special dance!
Thank you so much for sharing, it was understandably difficult. I’m crying too. So much love - what an awesome moment.
Mrs. Espresso, you look so so cute dancing with your dad!! I’m not sure if you’ll read this, but do you mind telling me where you got your hair flower? I love love love it.
Thanks!
Martha
*tear* that was such a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing!
Thankfully I was working from home when I read this, cause I couldn’t hold back the tears. Thank you for sharing these touching pictures. Not having any or my grandparents alive, to be there for my wedding is one of the things that I will truly miss that day.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Espresso, Corona/Big Bear Age and Occupation: 23, Community Services Specialist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Maintenance Technician Engagement Date: December 21, 2007 Wedding Date: October, 2008 Blogging Since: June 25, 2008 Venue: Outside a rustic b&b in Big Bear Lake About Me: I'm a lover of all things good: coffee, music, travel, rain, and of course- my handsome fiance! I'm a full believer in the "Life is Short," mantra - and therefore, eat lots of dark chocolate. I'm a Geographer by degree and nerd by choice. I cook to the sound of French and Portuguese music even though I speak neither. I love road trips, camping, hiking, and capturing life through the lens of my camera. Take me to Anthropologie and I may never leave. I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, bargain finds, and old movies. Mr. Espresso and I are high school sweethearts and I am so blessed to be this amazing man's future wife.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Latest Gallery Pics