Oldest Daughter’s wedding speech

So many wonderful memories of my beautiful girl rise to the surface it's going to be hard to keep this short... but there are other speakers so I'll have to try and keep it together and be concise.

I'll start by saying that, just like all children, you, Elissa, are a miracle walking. You were, in fact, promised by God which is why we named you Elissa, the definition of which is 'Promised by God'.

You have always been and continue to be an inquisitive, smart, and social person.., and a little sassy too. One of my favourite things about you is that you're always willing to share your own personal space with others in a way that puts people at ease and is really infectious, you draw people into your heart. 

One of my favourite memories of you, and this memory just sums up what I just said, is when we were flying internationally one time in late 90's so you would have been 4 or 5 or maybe 6. Mum and I would be dealing with Rosie in the bassinet so you would often sit by yourself which didn't bother you because you'd simply reach up and ring the bell for the stewardess to come your seat. They'd get to you, look down into those  big, beautiful, brown eyes and you'd simply say" How you going?" & you'd instantly make a friend of them and you guys would chat chat chat and then you'd go back to watching a movie or playing games or sleeping. We used to fly over to the USA and see my family often so by the time Elissa was 10 she'd been on a bunch of planes and was an expert traveller. You've actually been our helper sweet girl and I can remember a bunch of times when you, my gorgeous, were the most calm and collected person in the airport. 

Calm and collected is actually your resting position. No surprise that you're able to work in an emergency department as you're naturally calm and collected. 

I'll always be your dad and I'll always love and cherish you and all of our memories together. 

I'll now turn my attention to the new memories that you're starting with this new guy in your life, Brad. 

Now you all know I'm from Texas and we Texans still have a Wild West attitude and,well, you'll never find me backing up or backing down. We're naturally cautious and a tad suspicious I guess due to having to sleep in the desert with rattlesnakes around. You never know when one tries to crawl in your sleeping bag with you to get your warmth. Probably why we're known to pack a gun as well.

Well, I can honestly say to you Brad that, as suspicious and downright mean as I am about my gorgeous daughter, I have a feeling you're no rattlesnake 😀. Julia and I have come to love you and we are so happy that you are now part of our family. We welcome you and all y'all right in to our family. 

If all yall will bear with me a minute, I'd like to finish by praying a blessing over the newlyweds. It's a blessing these girls will know well because I've prayed the same blessing over them for their entire lives... it's this: Dear Lord, please bless this couple with Joy, Peace, Safety, Health, Wealth, & Thankfulness. Amen.

Julia, our whole family, and I bless you both as you start this new chapter of your lives and can I finish by saying it's not just the two of you in this marriage. You see, the wisest man to ever live, Solomon, said in Ecclesiastes 4:12" A cord of three strands is not easily broken" and my unending prayer for you two is that you'll continually invite the third strand of your cord, a person, into your marriage. That person is Jesus.