You will break my heart one day. If I’m lucky.

You will say “Yes” to a boy, not knowing the unbelievably deep ramifications of that decision. All you will know is that true love will see you through (it will, by the way).

You will ravage every bridal magazine ever printed, or zapped out, or beamed in. Not sure what technology they’ll be using by then to disseminate information.

You will plan, dream, and pray about what you’ll remember as one of the most exciting days of your life.

You will send out cute invitations, calling all those who know you and love you to gather round. Your heart will leap for joy every time you get one back with the check-mark in the “We’ll be there” box.

You will don a white dress (at least, you’d better!). You will have your hair and makeup done. You will look beautiful. No more beautiful than any other day of your life. You are beautiful every day. Just different, a little.

You will gather with bridesmaids and family in a room that’s always a little too small to contain everything found within. You will giggle with glee, not believing that God has allowed you to be this happy.

You will walk down the aisle. The instruments will play “Here comes the bride.” Everyone will stand. And smile. And ooh. And aah.

At the end of that aisle, you will join hands with a young man who has pledged to lay down everything for you. And I mean everything. Don’t worry, I will have already made sure of that.

And you will break my heart.

You will force me to remember those days. All those days. Those glorious days when I was the only man you looked to. And laughed with. And read books with. And held hands with. And climbed hills with. And chased your brother with. Those days when you fit comfortably on my shoulders.

And I will think of those days we have not yet seen. The firsts. First day of school. First day behind the wheel. First broken heart. First moment of really understanding what it means to follow God.

All of these things will make me wonder how it got away so fast. Did I teach you enough? Was I the kind of example you needed to see? Will you be blessed to enjoy the kind of marriage I have been fortunate enough to have?

You will see me cry. And laugh. And smile. And probably cry some more.

It will be a glorious day.

At least that’s how I pray it works out.