Rehearsal Dinner Video

B and I went back and forth about whether to do a rehearsal dinner video. Nothing fancy, just a simple tripod set up. In the end, we decided to stock a camera with battery power and tape and just let the bad boy run, catching what it would, until it ran out of charge or tape, whichever came first. Back then it was such a passing thought, but now I'm so glad we have it!

I hadn't watched the video until last night, but I was missing Dad a lot yesterday so I decided it would be better to watch the video and see if it actually captured any of his words rather than assume it did and be disappointed or assume it didn't and not watch out of fear.

I'll forever be thankful to B's parents' friend, JL, for stepping up to man the camera. He tested it for a few minutes, captured the welcome by B's Dad, and then the toasts from our friends. I owe that man dinner!

As the video starts, Dad is literally in the middle of the frame, and clearly just realizing that someone is tinkering with a video camera. He slowly moves out of the way, navigating the tables, chairs, and well-wishers that flooded the back deck of the golf clubhouse.

Cut to a few minutes later, each time lapse marked by a slightly smaller amount of sunlight in the frame, and B's Dad is welcoming everyone as he introduces his family. Then Dad walks up and does the same, offering a few thoughts about each of his kids and their spouses. It's lucky the grandkids weren't there or we'd have been there all night! B's Dad joked later that he should get back up and talk about his kids again, so when Dad offered his toast later, he actually did say more about B. Love it!

My sister pointed out at the funeral how amazing it was that we might have captured Dad's words on camera. As you watch, you see Dad address each of his kids, calling out what stood out in his mind about each of us. It's priceless really.

I was disappointed at first because as Dad moved around the side of the marble bar so he could use it as a kind of podium for his notes, he almost slips from the frame. For those few minutes, you see exactly half of Dad, less when he's making a joke and leaning toward a few of the tables. I thought it ironic at first, "Even on film, Dad eludes me!" but then realized how much I enjoyed closing my eyes and focusing on his voice. It makes me want to record everyone's voice I love, just so I have it... which might also explain why I have 14 saved voicemails currently.

The camera stops again, jumping to an even darker point in the evening, when B's Dad gets back up and offers his toast to the two of us, a memorable moment that I'll always recall as perfectly sweet, tender, funny, and meaningful. He passes the mic to Dad, who then calls up all the girls in the wedding party to sing Daddy's Girl. While the girls fall out of the frame for this one, Dad doesn't, and I can clearly see (and now remember!) the moment we shared as the girls sang. It was bittersweet-- Dad not exactly grinning, but certainly not quite sad-- as the verses played.
I didn't watch the rest of the tape, turning it off just before our friends began speaking, but the song played in my head the rest of the night, and I'm so glad I watched...

I recall the night that you came into this world.
I couldn't believe the doctor when he said: "It's a little girl."
I said: "Now Doc, you must be wrong. You see I want a boy."
Then he laid you in my arms and my heart sang with joy.

Daddy's Girl, Daddy's Girl,
I'm the centre of Daddy's world.
I know I'm Daddy's number one, For he loves me like I was his son.
(Daddy's Girl.)

I recall the day I took you to a baseball game.
You brought along your baby doll and half its' baby things.
We sat there a-playin' house, while the Dodgers played the Braves.
And ev'ryone in the bleachers looked at us as if to say.

Daddy's Girl, Daddy's Girl,
I'm the centre of Daddy's world.
I know I'm Daddy's number one, For he loves me like I was his son.
(Daddy's Girl.)

I recall the day I took you on a fishin' trip,
You said: "Daddy won't that hook hurt the fishes' lip?"
And you said if they don't get air, those things in the can will die.
So we turned the worms all loose and chased some butterflies.

Daddy's Girl, Daddy's Girl,
I'm the centre of Daddy's world.
I know I'm Daddy's number one, For he loves me like I was his son.
(Daddy's Girl.)

I recall the day that your young man come to call.
Seems like only yesterday, you swam and played football.
But I know the time has come, that I must set you free.
But no matter where you are, you know what you are to me.

Daddy's Girl, Daddy's Girl,
I'm the centre of Daddy's world.
I know I'm Daddy's number one, For he loves me like I was his son.
(Daddy's Girl.)