Have you ever been to a wedding?
If so, you’re probably familiar with the way things go. All the family gathers, music plays and the loving couple proceeds to the front of the altar. Towards the end of the ceremony, before the couple is joined together, the priest or ordained minister turns to the crowd. “If any of you has reasons why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Typically, nobody says anything.
In one story out of Portugal, one groom decided to interrupt his own wedding.
The couple in question were Jessica and Jefferson.
The pair were madly in love and the wedding had thus far gone totally as expected. After walking to the front of their church and beginning to exchange vows, Jefferson began his unusual and unorthodox speech. Although he loved his wife dearly, he said that he had a big confession to make.
According to Jefferson, his heart also belonged to another very special woman.
The audience was shocked—until Jefferson turned to eight-year-old Giovanna.
As it turns out, Jefferson’s wife Jessica had a daughter of her own from a previous relationship. Those who grew up in blended families know, any kind of serious change in the family structure can cause communication issues, confusion and insecurity. Even if one’s biological parents are out of the picture, introducing a new parental figure comes with a lot of questions that often need to be addressed.
Fortunately, Jefferson was prepared to do everything he could to be a good husband—and father.
Although the original video is in their native Portuguese, the thrust of Jefferson’s speech is this:
“If I could ask God for anything, it would be to have you as my daughter. I would be the proudest father in the world to have such a beautiful, intelligent and educated daughter like you . . . I also give you love, my love, to always take care of you, to always protect you and to not let anything bad happen to you.”
Needless to say, Jefferson’s sincere words left everyone in the room in tears.
Although weddings are a beautiful occasion on their own, Jefferson’s sensitivity and boundless love made this ceremony extra special. Although marriage is often thought of as between two people, it is sometimes much more than that. It sets the foundation for a new family and sometimes means joining two families together.
Congratulations to the bride and groom!
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