Some days ago, I saw this movie on TV-  Father of the bride. I have seen it around 10 times already, but I can still watch it…again and again. Although it is a comedy, there is some thing about the story that tugs at the heartstrings. And by the end of it I have a lump in my throat.  All the emotions demonstrated by the actor Steve Martin’s character, when he comes to know that his daughter – his little girl – is now a grown up woman who has decided to get married,  are the most natural ones that any father would go through under similar circumstances.  Doubt and suspicion about the boy chosen by his daughter, the inability to accept that his princess, his little girl, is not little anymore and is now on the threshold of a new milestone in her life, the apprehensions  about his daughter’s future with another man are all that every father goes through. What is it about daughters that makes the strongest, bravest of fathers go all mushy when their little girls are ready to leave the nest? I will never know…..I can never be a father (!) and I don’t have a daughter- my bad luck!
    Daddies dote on their little girls….girls, who will always remain ‘little’ for their dads, no matter how much they age! I am sure, so many of them feel that even when the girl is of marriageable age, she is ‘still so small’! Why the hurry? is the question often asked! And no boy is suitable enough, however much educated or well brought up he may be. He is never the ‘best’ for their girls.
   I think, if they could, fathers would as well get home the son-in-law rather than send the apple of their eyes away from them!  And the way some of them study the ‘boys’ – under a microscope! The boys are always on edge, always nervous about being observed for every mannerism, from every angle.  Impressing a future father in law is akin to giving the toughest examination of their lives – something that I saw in another movie, Meet the parents. But, then, those very boys need to know that they would be doing the exact same thing when their daughters would decide to tie the knot!
   My dad, like all the other dads of the world, brought me up like a princess, gave me the very best of everything I wanted. And, one fine day, he would be left without me, is an idea that must have given him sleepless nights. It’s only now that I can comprehend what he must have gone through while giving my hand  away in marriage. His tears spoke a thousand words! And even today, I remain his little girl who needs his guidance and protection in this ugly world! Now, I am getting all mushy!
  Ah, well, life as we know, is uncertain, but, one thing that we girls know for certain is that wherever we may be, whatever we may do, we will always be present in our dad’s prayers. And if, God forbid, some untoward situations do arise, then the person who will be the first one to come to our rescue will be daddy dearest! Don’t you agree, girls?!