Butterfly Kisses

This memory begins in July 1996 in a suburb of Atlanta. The big event of the month was the marriage of my oldest daughter Rhonda. Unfortunately, that same week there was a slightly smaller event taking place - the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Those you you who lived in Georgia that summer will remember how crazy everything was that month. The whole northern half of the state became a huge venue for the Olympics. We asked her to put off the wedding for a couple of weeks but it had to be that day.

Every hotel and motel was sold out moths in advance at double the normal rates. Because of the Olympics every possible event location was rented out. That was not a problem, she would have the ceremony and the reception in our back yard. They didn't have the money to rent a place for the event anyway.

At the time, I worked for a major convention hotel in Atlanta. Normally I would be able to borrow any tables, chairs, chafing dishes, and serving utensils that I needed for free from the hotel. Like every other hotel, it was booked solid for the duration of the Olympics. This also meant that they were busy with dinners and receptions. Finally they were able to free up a few items to allow us to get by for a small wedding reception. It wasn't much, but we made do with what they loaned us.

Also during that time, Bob Carlisle had released a new song Butterfly Kisses that had started becoming popular. I had not heard the song and did not know what it was about. Rhonda decided she had to play that song during her reception for me. She was able to find and buy the CD with the song on it. She knew that I was very conflicted about her getting married. My little girl had grown up and was getting married.

During the reception, it came time for the song. She called me up in front of everyone and put her arm around me. She had someone start the song playing. (Remember I had never heard it). I confess I stood there in front of everyone with tears streaming down my face. It is hard to let your daughter go. And in spite of all my failures, my daughter still loved me. Somehow, Bob Carlisle wrote and sang the perfect song for my daughter's wedding.

In case you are not familiar with the song, I have included some of the lyrics.

Lyrics (partial)

by Bob Carlisle

There's two things I know for sure She was sent here from heaven And she's daddy's little girl As I drop to my knees by her bed at night She talks to Jesus And I close my eyes And I thank God for all of the joy in my life Oh, but most of all For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer  

Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right To deserve a hug every morning And butterfly kisses at night

Spread your wings and fly She'll change her name today She'll make a promise And I'll give her away Standing in the bride-room Just staring at her She asked me what I'm thinking And I said, "I'm not sure" "I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl" And she leaned over Gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair "Walk me down the aisle, Daddy, it's just about time" "Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy?" "Daddy, don't cry"

Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right To deserve her love every morning And butterfly kisses I couldn't ask God for more Man, this is what love is I know I gotta let her go But I'll always remember Every hug in the morning And butterfly kisses