“I don’t think I can go through with this!”

Panic is how I would describe the expression that crossed my dad’s face after I made my little announcement. I can understand why. At this point, we were standing in the church foyer waiting for my bridesmaids to walk down the aisle.

That would be a horrible situation to be in. Think about it. You’re waiting to walk your daughter down the aisle and she says she can’t go through with the wedding.

My dad was probably wondering how to handle it. What would he tell Tim who was waiting for me at the altar? What would he tell the church full of people? “There’s plenty of food and cake across the street at the school. Go have a good time anyway.”

Realizing my dad misunderstood me, I quickly made another announcement that would make him feel so much better: “I’m so nervous. I feel like I’m going to get sick or pass out!”

Let me tell you, I had never been so scared and nervous in my life. On top of that, the temperature was into the 90s that October day and I was wearing my Princess Diana wedding dress with many layers. Also, the air conditioning didn’t kick on in the church.

My dad patted my arm that was wrapped around his and told me everything would be fine. I wasn’t alone since he was with me and I could lean on him. We would walk down that aisle together. That’s what good fathers do.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strength thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

The more we walked, the calmer I became. Then I saw Tim waiting on me with a big happy grin. Taking the scary first step was so worth it.

I often tell Tim he needs to thank my dad since he’s the reason I made it down the aisle that day.

Once I reached the altar and looked up at the preacher, my nerves completely left me. And not for the reason you think.

The preacher was Tim’s uncle. Over the years, he had married countless couples, but this being Tim’s wedding made him very nervous. The heat didn’t help either.

Remember me saying the air wasn’t working? His uncle’s face was blood red and the sweat was pouring off him. He was continually wiping his face with his handkerchief. I was so worried about him that I forgot my own nerves.

It didn’t get any better with the Unity candles. I wanted to blow out my own candle and sit it back myself. And that’s what I did. Tim didn’t follow suit in that he sat his candle back still lit.

His uncle and I both whispered, “Blow it out! Blow it out!”

Instead of picking the candle back up, Tim stood in place and puffed until the flame went out. Honestly, it reminded me of the scene from the “Three Little Pigs,” where the wolf huffed and puffed.

As of October 12, that was 34 years ago and I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, except for terrifying my dad.