William's Promise

Nothing had ever made her happier, more content, than the feeling of being in his arms. Nothing had ever fulfilled her more than putting her arms around him. Wrapping him in the embodiment of her love.

When the two connected, physically and metaphorically, she knew that this was the closest to heaven that she might ever know. It was more than enough.

"'Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all." She understood what William had meant. She agreed...adamently.

She thought of her father. He would step in front of a train for her. He would drive hundreds (thousands) of miles if she needed him. If anything should cause her pain, he would feel it - ten-fold. They never spoke of it, but she knew that he cared more than any other man ever would.

Upon entering womanhood, the relationship had strained. She did not want him to see her as a sexual being. She did not trust him to see it positively. She made it awkward and uncomfortable.

Then, she realized that she had been a fool. This was the closest thing to unconditional love that she would ever know. This man, who would lay down his life for her, would be overjoyed to know that she was so happy. Her success in the quest to find a deeper connection was his ultimate goal.

Fathers: It is difficult to let your daughters go, but imagine their lives if they had not stepped outside of your protection. They would never experience the joy that you have felt in creating new lives of their own. They would never know the love that passes between you and their mothers.

It is hard to think of our babies growing up and having mature relationships, but embrace this idea. The alternative is a much harsher reality.

(Thanks to a friend for making a comment that inspired this post. I'm glad to have thought about this in a new way.)