Dancing with Dad

I've tried on more than one occasion to ask my dad what song he wants to dance to at the reception and somehow the subject always gets changed before he has to answer.  Usually this happens after he responds with something like "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" and then pretends to be insulted by my eye roll. Before I know it, we're discussing the do-not-play list or ceremony music, and never really get back to our original topic.

Proud Papa at my college graduation

Now it's time for you all to learn a secret about my dad:  At six foot five, with his hunting truck and fishing trips, he may seem like a tough guy, but my he's actually a big softie (my sister's friends call him Hagrid!), and I have a sneaking suspicion he is avoiding the subject because he gets too emotional when he thinks about it.  I'm an avoider too, so I get it and haven't pushed him too much. But I've been doing a lot of thinking about it myself and have a few ideas.

Paul Simon - Father and Daughter



I'm gonna watch you shine, gonna watch you grow.  Gonna paint a sign so you always know, as long as one and one is two, there could never be a father who loved his daughter more than I love you.

Growing up, I always thought this would be our father-daughter dance.  I love the lyrics, especially all the references to animals and the outdoors.  It's very fitting for us and the bond we have, not to mention that The Wild Thornberrys was one of the few Nickelodeon shows my dad watched with us on a fairly regular basis.  He probably won't admit it, but I think he secretly liked it as much as we did!

Fleetwood Mac - Landslide

Sorry for the ads on this one - I could NOT find an embeddable version that didn't have them!

Oh mirror in the sky, what is love?  Can the child within my heart rise above?  Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?  Can I handle the seasons of my life?  Well I've been afraid of changing 'cause I built my life around you.  But time makes you bolder, children get older.  I'm getting older too...

This song is a completely different, and if we use it I'm bound to bawl through the entire thing.  The lyrics are so symbolic to me and this stage in my life.  Up until now, I have been completely reliant on my family.  I don't mean financially reliant (although they've helped me out a few times there too) but just emotion-wise.  B and I have been through a lot, and with the distance that separates us I've relied a lot on my family to fill the void.  I can't wait for the next stage of my life, but it's still extremely hard to let go of what I've grown so accustomed to.  I don't handle change very well.

Growing up, we listened to a lot of Fleetwood Mac in my house, so I've loved this song for as long as I can remember.  It's definitely a top contender.

Ben Folds - Gracie



You can't fool me, I saw you when you came out.  You got your momma's taste but you got my mouth.  And you will always have a part of me nobody else is ever gonna see, Gracie girl...
One day you're gonna want to go.  I hope we taught you everything you need to know, Gracie girl.

I love Ben Folds, and this is such a sweet father-daughter song.  The lyrics are so playful, yet touching, and I think it's a nice and refreshing song compared to some of the tear-jerkers that are more popular.  It would surprise me if my dad picked this one, since it's not really his style, but I am hoping my uncle dances to it with his daughter Grace at her wedding. :)

I'll try broaching the subject with my Dad again in a week or two, and maybe he has another song in mind.  Did you have family dances at your wedding?  What songs did you use?