Life Changing Moments

My daughter has a ring on her finger.  I haven't seen it in person yet since she is on the other side of the country (actually I am on the "other" side of the country..she hasn't moved).  She did send me a photo on my cell phone.  I knew it was going to happen because I had received a phone call about three weeks ago from a young man who asked my blessing to take my daughter's hand in marriage.  Although I knew it was going to happen one day, it is one of those life changing moments that surprise you no matter how prepared you think you might be.  After he made the initial inquiry there was silence on the line because I was so choked up I couldn't get any words out.  He finally asked if I was still there and I asked him to "give me a minute, someone just asked for my daughter's hand in marriage."  After I was able to gather myself we had a nice talk.  He is a great man and I am elated that they have decided to become husband and wife. By the time I called Midori and told her I was blubbering so much she couldn't understand a word I was saying.  I didn't get much sleep that night as the wave of emotions kept shaking me out of my slumber...pride, melancholy, excitement, fear, happiness, sadness...it was all there at one time or another.  My one and only daughter, my lovely daughter with the purest of hearts is getting married.  Oh! That they do it right and weather the storms of marriage and come to know the unwritten rules of compromise and understanding and love that is unconditional.  Oh! That they take the time to savor the joy of sharing in each others lives.  Does this mean I am old?  Is this another chapter ending in an ever thinning book (not that I am thinning unfortunately...just the book of my life).  Will she still need me?  Will she have time for her old man when he needs her?  Although I have stabilized over the past few weeks, the moment, the event, the thought that my daughter is really getting married, stays with me each and every day and the love that I have for my daughter grows.  I can't wait to see the adventure unfold!