It was Just Yesterday....

In 11 days, I will proudly walk my oldest daughter down the aisle as she gets married. This will be a brand new experience so I'm not sure what my emotions will be like on June 10th. As the big day rapidly approaches, it has forced me to spend lots of time strolling down "Memory Lane" and wondering where all the time went.

It was just "yesterday" that Taylor Jordan Lucas was born on July 15, 1993 at 1:01 PM EST in Ocala, Florida weighing in at 7 pounds and 6 ounces while stretching out at 20.5 inches long. She had beautiful and wide eyes and no hair and was perfect in our eyes. My life changed for the better in an instant. I remember showing her off to my grandparents. I remember my cheeks hurting from smiling so much. I remember the unbelievable amount of pride and love that overtook my body.

I remember the sense of responsibility that overran my emotions. I remember trying to sleep thinking how lucky I was to be her dad. I remember what a great luck charm she was as my Braves rattled off 15-wins in a row after she was born and then FSU won their first national title that fall. I couldn't wait to get home each day to hug her. She used to take naps on my chest each day. Those were memories I will never forget!

It was just yesterday that we dressed her up as a nun for her 1st Halloween. It was just yesterday that we celebrated her 1st birthday at my grandparent's cabin in Bryson City, NC. It was just yesterday that she went to pre-school and colored all of her pumpkins black because she didn't "want to use the Gators color (orange) since we're Seminole fans." Yes, that was a proud moment for me but not so much for her mama!

It was just yesterday that I took her to school when I taught 3rd grade and she stayed under my desk playing with her little dinosaurs and coloring all day. It was just yesterday that she rode the bus with my football and basketball teams and sat on the bench with me when I coached.

It was just yesterday that she and I rode to Bartlett Grade School every day together as she was in 1st grade and I was a first-time school principal. It was just yesterday that we took Taylor and Micah to Disney World for the first time. That's my favorite all-time picture as Micah is hugging her big sister right inside the gates as they both seem to be saying, "we finally made it to Disney!"

It was just yesterday that I coached her in little league softball and basketball. It was just yesterday I saw her on stage at numerous dance recitals. It was just yesterday we moved to Franklin.

It was just yesterday that she nailed eight 3-pointers at Superior on her brother's birthday. It was just yesterday that she and I had a long heart-to-heart about whether or not to move to York. It was just yesterday that she got her driver's license. It was just yesterday that she and her sister qualified for state track with gutsy performances out in the district meet at Lexington. It was just yesterday she and Micah got me into Black Friday shopping!

She just graduated high school "yesterday." Her mama and I just dropped her off at Doane yesterday where we waited until she got inside her dorm before we balled like babies. We just saw here first collegiate race yesterday. She just passed her CPA exam "yesterday."

I'm proud of all of her great report cards and accomplishments but she is way more than "stuff." No race, report card, dance recital, game, or single event clouds my memory. Taylor is so much more than that.

Taylor makes me a better person. She makes me proud every single day. She is someone I admire and respect. I love her work ethic and her competitiveness. I love her sense of "family" as she is an amazing "big sister." I love her compassionate heart. I love her willingness to tackle tough tasks. I love her discipline. I love her sense of humor. I love her loyalty. I love her sense of purpose. I love her bright future.

Taylor, Micah, Jeb, Bo, and Liesl are my "why." They are the reason I choose to get out of bed each day. They are who I look forward to spending time with. I'm now proud to add Garrett to that mix. He and Taylor make a great couple and we are so excited for their future together.

I am sure I will shed some tears on June 10th but they will be tears of happiness and excitement. Taylor Lucas will become Taylor Borcher and we are so thankful she found a great husband from an awesome family. Walking her down the aisle will be a surreal experience but one that I'm happy to do.

I want to thank Taylor for making my life better.

As I stumble through my "father of the bride" speech on June 10th, I know I will leave lots of things out but I also know it is impossible to tell her and everyone else how much she means to me and how proud of her we are.