Today He Gets Your Hand

Written for my youngest daughter, and

read at her wedding, August 4th, 2019

Today he gets your hand, my dear, yet in my heart you’ll stay.

Though you may trade my name for his, my girl you’ll always be,

and while you have each other now, I’m never far away.

I’ve locked away my love for you and thrown away the key.

The music starts, I bow my head; let heaven hear my plea—

true happiness is what I want for you, and so I pray

that this young man I give you to, loves you unselfishly.

Today he gets your hand, my dear, yet in my heart you’ll stay.

A marriage has both ups and downs, like nighttime follows day,

and sharing futures doesn’t mean you’ll never disagree.

As you begin this new life-stage, please don’t forget to play,

and though you trade my name for his, my girl you’ll always be.

A true love doesn’t mean that eye to eye you’ll always see,

or that you’ll never fight as you traverse your day-to-day;

remember though, you started out in friendship, you and he—

and while you have each other now, I’m never far away.

I’ll be right here to guide you back, if you should lose your way,

for no one else will ever love you half as much as me,

and you can tell me anything, I’ll trust in what you say—

I’ve locked away my love for you and thrown away the key.

Come take my hand, let’s walk the aisle, and let your love shine free;

just share your hearts, and you’ll get through together—come what may.

Real life is more complex than any love story could be,

but if you trust each other—and stay friends—you’ll be okay.

Today he gets your hand.

(I love you)

© 2019 - dustygrein