So you wish to marry my Daughter.

So you wish to marry my daughter:

I assure you I will not ask if you can support her

In the accustomed manner or any such banality.

For twenty-five years ago I stood where you now stand,

And my father-in-law was kind to me;

Did not make light of the moment,

Nor yet overreach its seriousness.

Yes, he was kind to me,

Though he had his reservations,

Of that I am certain.

Nor will I speak from the lofty heights of our twenty-five years,

For God’s grace is in these wonderful years,

And to claim merit for such would be vanity.

Yet while I would not sermonize,

Nor speak of trifles,

There is something,

Something on my heart:

(Please bear with me, for this may well be presumption),

Yet it seems that an abyss yawns at our feet,

Yours, mine and hers,

As we seek each other’s happiness.

- - Something I would ask you:

Do not those vows terrify you?

For twenty-five years on they still terrify me.

“ – for better for worse.”

Is having and holding sufficient recompense?

Ah, but I know your answer.

“ – for richer for poorer, in sickness and health.”

Terrifying! Terrifying!

Amidst the splendour and pageantry of the day,

Will you yet take time to tremble

As you take these vows.

“ ‘Til death us do part.”

Celestial Cement from the One who joins,

Our only hope.

What else withstands the stress and press

Of a life together in close vulnerability?

But there, I foreswore all sermonising.

Forgive me this gloomy cast.

It seems the field lies littered

With the corpses of brave spouses-at-arms

Who took these vows and could not keep them.

Why only these past few months:

A close relative and some close friends - -

What was that you said?

Ah yes, my daughter’s hand in marriage.

Of course, of course.

You are welcome in this family

And more than welcome.

May you enjoy a long, happy and fruitful life together.

My blessing on it.

Have you set a date for the wedding?

Peter Frow