Sometimes life is bittersweet. I don’t know how many of you cry your eyes out when you hear the song “Butterfly Kisses,” but I do. Maybe I’m overly sentimental, but I cry about this song as much as I cry over Father of the Bride movies starring Steve Martin.
I’m a daughter, of course, but I am also the mom of two daughters, so that explains why Butterfly Kisses grabs my heart. I would put the video here but it is restricted, so if you want to cry along with me (come on, I know some of you want to … ), you can click here. Go ahead, I’ll wait … I’m listening to it myself right now, and tears are already falling in my keyboard.
When I hear “Butterfly Kisses” I shut my eyes and memories of my beautiful little girls run through my mind …
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
And I thank God for all of the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all for… Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Stickin’ little white flowers all up in her hair
“Walk beside the pony Daddy, it’s my first ride
I know the cake looks funny Daddy but I sure tried”
It doesn’t matter if I am in an elevator, the grocery store or in the car, this song gets me every time. Big tears well up in my eyes, my lip starts quivering and my life as a mom flashes before my eyes. I see my little girls, their long eyelashes fluttering on mine as they kissed me goodnight, I see them giggling, riding ponies, dancing around in princess dresses, I can feel their chubby five year old arms wrapped tenderly around my neck, their soft cheek on my cheek, and suddenly in the blink of an eye they are seven, eight, nine, ten, thirteen, sweet sixteen …
Sweet sixteen today
And she’s lookin’ like her mamma a little more every day
One part woman, the other part girl
To perfume and make-up, from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world
But I remember …
Then comes the part of the song where I actually start wailing out loud …
She’ll change her name today
and she’ll make a promise and I’ll give her away
Standing in the bride room just staring at her
She asked me what I’m thinking and I said “I’m not sure,
I just feel like I’m losing my baby girl”
And she leaned over…and gave me … Butterfly kisses with her mamma there
Stickin’ little white flowers all up in her hair
“Walk me down the aisle Daddy, it’s just about time
Does my wedding gown look pretty Daddy? Daddy don’t cry”
My oldest daughter got married last summer and just like in the song, her Daddy fought back tears while I replayed her childhood over and over again in my mind. Watching my beautiful daughter walk down the aisle was such an emotional experience. I felt so proud of her, so blessed to have raised her, and my heart was full of excitement for her future! Yet as her Daddy took her hand and gave her to the groom, a chapter of our life ended. Our little girl had grown up in the blink of an eye.
Okay, pass the tissues.
“Butterfly Kisses” was written by Bob Carlisle
