We had dinner the other night with Thais and Joe and the topic of conversation rolled around to Missy’s wedding.  Missy is their only daughter, they have two sons besides.  We had a lot of laughs.  Thais is the practical one – is the dress Missy wants worth an extra $$$ – does she really like it that much?  What about the guest list – it has to stop somewhere.  We girls know this routine if we had any kind of traditional wedding.    

According to Joe, his response to any of Missy’s requests is this: “Is that what you want?  Then that’s what you can have.”  Then he laughs with the smile of a man who would give his life for her.    His rationale is “she’s my only daughter” and I can’t argue with that.  Al would be the same way. 

Missy is an independent young woman and is no Bridezilla so there’s no worry that she will take advantage of her position as Daddy’s Little Girl, but I think it’s adorable that Joe, who when we were younger prided himself on being hip and cool and non-conformist, has just slipped right into that role of proud papa, who would do anything for his little girl’s wedding day, like a hand in a glove.  Gotta love him for that.  Of course he’s Italian and we should have expected it. 

I’m singing at the wedding and I won’t consider my job a success unless he’s blubbering into his handkerchief.  It will be my gift to my old friend…