I hadn't planned a father-daughter dance during our wedding reception. But that didn't matter – it happened anyway.
As a person who has struggled with anxiety for more than half my life, I figured I'd be in the spotlight enough on my wedding day without an extra dance. (Plus, even though it doesn't apply in any way to my relationship with my dad, there's that whole patriarchal history of father-daughter dances to consider.)
After my wife Kristie and I finished our first dance as newlyweds, we looked at each other with relief and joy. We were done, married, finished being stared at! It was time to drink, dance, and interact one-on-one with the people we love (something we're each a lot more comfortable with).
But then "Twist & Shout" by the Beatles started to play. My dad and I found each other on the dance floor as it began to fill up with other people. Our shared love for the band is one of my favorite ways to show him how much I love him – and it has been for as long as I can remember. Even when I was a total nightmare of a teenager, we had the Beatles. And that meant we had each other.
So we danced. It might not have been the typical father-daughter dance (or father-daughter dance moves), but it was the Beatles. Our Beatles. And it was us.
It didn't matter anymore how many people were staring at me. This wasn't about them. This was about my dad and me, dancing together. I'm so glad we did it.
Another love my dad and I have shared through the decades is photography and filmmaking. (Our jobs are even similar – we both work in higher ed communications departments making videos!) We share tips and projects we're proud of, and have even attended workshops together. Naturally I love getting him photo-themed gifts for holidays and his birthday. That made it easy to partner with Snapfish (already the only website I use to order photo prints) on their Father's Day campaign.
I chose two things my dad loves – photography and his family – to create a one-of-a-kind aluminum print for him to hang in his office. I was tempted to use a picture of us from my wedding, but I guess he does have two other kids and wife that he loves too ;) I wanted to include everyone in our immediate family, so I selected a photo Kristie took of us at my sister's graduation.
It turned out so cool! I've never seen a print like this before, and I love it. It's a photo printed on a piece of dang metal. I have no idea how I'd even start to DIY it, so I'm extra thankful for Snapfish. Tempted to keep it, but it is Father's Day after all :)
And now! How would you like to enter to win $50 to Snapfish to make your dad something cool? Enter below... (Winners will be randomly selected and notified by Clever Girls and/or Snapfish by Friday, June 17.)
*Wedding photos by Love & Perry Photography
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
