One big man puddle

I just finished listening to the 173rd Stuck in the '80s podcast. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you need to familiarize yourself with it. STAT! Seriously, next to peanut butter and jelly on squishy white bread, this concept is da bomb! Basically, I really enjoy it.

This episode focuses on musicians who became actors in the '80s. I won't reveal the top 10, but I can say that by the end of the podcast, I had tears streaming down my face. No, the hosts aren't directly responsible for my outburst of waterworks.

Host Steve Spears ends this most enjoyable episode with the very song I chose to dance with my Father to at my wedding reception. While the marriage didn't last, the memory of dancing with my Dad goes on forever. I chose "Wind Beneath My Wings" based on my Father's reaction to hearing it one summer day while visiting my sister Karen in Arizona.

I was to wed in September 1990. My Dad felt it a good idea to take me on a vacation prior to my nuptials. To be honest, in retrospect, I think he had hoped to convince me on this father/daughter trip that I had a lot more living to do as a single girl. I'm certain now that it was his keen attempt to make me see the light and possibly move far away from the man who wasn't quite my ideal match.

During our visit to Arizona, we were fortunate to tag along with sister Karen to her son Nathan's school year end concert. At the time, Nathan was in grade school. He and his classmates sang a variety of songs to pre-taped accompaniment. While children's concerts can often be painful to one's sensibilities, they are also mighty endearing. The kids are singing from their hearts. These boys and girls appeared to be soaring with such pride.

The beginning strains of "Wind Beneath My Wings" cued up and the children began to hum. While I tried to stifle my giggles, I turned to my Dad to see if his reaction was similar. On the contrary. The man's eyes were filled with tears. Always with a handkerchief, he had pulled it from his pocket as the welled up eyes were accompanied with a trembling lip. His face was drenched with emotion spilling from his somber, hazel eyes. I leaned in to my father's sturdy frame as his comforting, strong arm wrapped around my shoulder. I fell into him and sobbed along with the man who I had rarely seen weep.

Upon completion of the song, he could only express how beautiful it was. He was so delighted to have been there to see Nathan sing his heart out with his classmates and to share the moment with two of his daughters. The song struck a chord. I don't' think up to that time Dad had ever heard the tune.

It was at that moment I knew I would have that song played during our father/daughter glide across the dance floor.