A Father’s Prayer for his Daughter/Son and New Son/ Daughter (In-Law) Upon their Wedding

A FATHER’S PRAYER FOR HIS DAUGHTER/SON AND NEW SON/DAUGHTER (IN-LAW) UPON THEIR WEDDING

So many childhood memories of you, playing tackle‑ daddy, piggyback rides, swinging. Too many to process. May those good times and the preciousness of our love accompany you in building your new home. My prayer and blessing for you is that you build a life together of Torah values, resilience, perseverance, respect, growth, adventure, forgiveness, joy, love and respect. May you learn to be comfortable with and cherish each other’s strengths and weaknesses, endearing habits and irritating foibles. And may Hashem bless you to build a Bayit Ne’eman b’Yisrael, a faithful Jewish home. To my new son (daughter)‑in‑law, we’re entrusting you with one of our most precious gems. She/he is a light, a strength, a force, a perfect soul. Treat her/him well, keep her/his trust, apologize, and forgive easily. She/he will ask a lot of you, but it will be worth it. Words cannot express my love and respect for you. May Hashem shower you with happiness, health, growth, and success.

—Andy Boltax, Rockville, Maryland