Dad hands me the envelope at the breakfast table after I finish the French toast he made us. His famous French toast is always served before every monumental occasion in the Sawyer household. I recognize mom’s handwriting right away. It’s one of the many letters and videos she left for me.
To my Joy: To be opened on the day of your wedding.
He pours me another cup of coffee and takes his into his study.
I hold the letter for a moment taking in the scent of her perfume. I trace my fingers along the outline of her lips where she placed a kiss to seal it… Passionate Pink lipstick, her signature color. I carefully slide my finger under the seal making sure not to tear the envelope. Then, I remove and unfold the pages touching the same paper she touched almost twenty years ago.
Dear Joy,
It’s your wedding day and although I’m not with you in the physical sense, I’m in yours and your dad’s hearts today and always.
I’m sure whomever you have decided to marry is exceptional. I trust you, and I know a wedding wouldn’t be taking place without your dad’s blessing. I left you in loving hands, and he will only relinquish you to the same.
As you know, we named you Joy because of this quote by Oscar Wilde, “A flower blossoms for its own joy.”
You, my darling, are our greatest joy, and I know you have blossomed into an exquisite human being. I want you and your special someone to continue to blossom as you begin this new chapter of your lives.
Marriage at its best is easy and I wish I could guarantee it will always be easy. It won’t. Whenever we hit a rough patch, and believe it or not we did, your dad would say, “Buckle up buttercup, our garden is about to get interesting.” It always made me laugh. I’d stop and take a breath knowing everything would be fine because we were in it together. He was never wrong, but please don’t tell him I ever admitted it.
Your dad believed starting a family was like planting a garden. Start with fresh soil, add a little fertilizer and the seeds you want to grow. Water it, pluck out the weeds before they smother what you’ve planted, and make sure there’s enough sunshine. Too much sun will scorch your garden, but too much shade will dull the colors of your beautiful flowers. Be patient and allow your flowers to grow at their own pace, and they will blossom when they are ready.
Joy, I know your dad raised you to be an independent young woman. I made him promise he would. My wish on your wedding day is for you to continue to blossom through the years and remember to let all the flowers in your garden do the same.
With All My Love,
Mom
P.S. Your dad has something special for you to wear today.
I look up from the table and see my dad standing with a small box. Her favorite necklace is inside. The tiny stones, shaped into intricate flowers and leaves that once adorned her neck will hug mine as I start my own garden.