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Kayla
Beginner May 2021

Dedicating a song to my dad

Kayla, on August 30, 2020 at 9:37 AM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 8
Yesterday I had to make the difficult decision of telling my dad he isnt walking me down the aisle or doing the father daughter dance with me unless he gets clean and sober. My dad is an alcoholic and has been for a few years. he hasnt always been one. Growing up he was a stay at home dad and the two of us got very close.


However since I was in high school to now he has went down hill. He has had a few close calls in life, such as surviving going into cardiac arrest a little over a year ago. But never learned his lesson.
I really had no clue what else my family could do to get through to him. I have always dreamed of him walking me down the aisle and I picked out the song Cinderella for us to dance to 6 years ago when my FOH first got together. However, the man who looks like my father now is not my dad but a shell of the man I knew who is completely empty. I thought telling him this yesterday might get through to him. I have 8 months for him to get help. I want to be hopeful he will change but I highly doubt he will.
As of right now my dad is invited to the wedding just does not have a part in it. My dad is not a violent drunk. He doesnt know what is going on, becomes highly emotional, will say something inappropriate, and is mean to my mom. My wedding is dry with possibly a small cash bar or having wine at the tables only during dinner. Please do not give me your opinions on a dry wedding. If he doesnt get better would it be bad if I dedicated a song to him, like many brides do for their mom. The song would be dancing queen, as this was a song the two of us would sing and dance together to since I was dance when I was little. I want him to know I still love and care for him, but I cant let him be the one to give me away in the state that he is in.
Do you think it would be stupid if I did this as a back up if i don't end up doing the father daughter dance with him? Or do you think it would just be offensive and remind him more of what he couldnt do.

8 Comments

Latest activity by Molly, on August 31, 2020 at 2:52 PM
  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    I don’t think it would be stupid, because if he doesn’t get sober then it’s really his own fault that he isn’t walking you down the aisle. You’re still giving him the option, he just has to do better for himself. However it may make him feel sad or like he isn’t good enough if he doesn’t become sober. Have you looked up any programs that he may be able to get into within 8 months? I know you probably ultimately want him to walk you down the aisle.
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  • Jessica
    Master September 2020
    Jessica ·
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    I think it’s a sweet idea, but I think it would draw more attention to the fact that he has no role in the wedding and I don’t know if that’s what you’re really wanting.
    I understand watching your parent who you were so close to become a different person, a shell of a person. I’m so sorry! Unfortunately, you can’t help someone who doesn’t want help. I hope he realizes for your sake how much he’s hurting not just himself, but his entire family and is able to turn things around.
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  • Margaret
    Master October 2020
    Margaret ·
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    I know your heart is in the right place of telling your dad the bad news, however a one who has dealt with alcoholism more than one wants to, it has to be his decision to want to get sober.


    If you know he wants to and is just struggling, I suggest finding him a good doctor who’s willing to work with him and ask him to try Naltrexone. It’s not a miracle drug, but I can personally attest to watching my loved one come clean with it’s sincere use.
    I think you dedicating a song to him is beautiful, but if he’s not sober he may not even know what’s going on.
    Be patient, don’t give ultimatums and love unconditionally, if he really wants the help, he’ll get it.
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  • Kayla
    Beginner May 2021
    Kayla ·
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    I wrote him a letter explaining my decision more clearly because when we talk to him he thinks we are attacking. I looked at a few o
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  • Kayla
    Beginner May 2021
    Kayla ·
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    A few places but it has to be his decision to go there
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  • Natalie
    Devoted January 2022
    Natalie ·
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    I understand where you're coming from, but not sure it will play out well. Guests might find it a bit confusing if you just announce this song is dedicated to your father and play the song, but nothing else happens....I think guests would be looking around thinking either the father-daughter dance was starting, OR that he was deceased and this song was in his memory....IMO it would be awkward and put a lot of confused attention on him.

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  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    I hope everything comes together for you two
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  • Molly
    VIP September 2020
    Molly ·
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    I think you are making the right choice in your situation.

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