The last week has been a very complex emotional roller coaster for this Dad. My only daughter, Rachel, has gone away on her own life adventure, and while I am sure to be a part of it, I have to admit I'll not be the same part I have had the previous 19+ years of her life.

Last Tuesday, July 11, 2006, I dropped Rachel off a the Salt Lake City airport to catch a flight to Spain, where she will be living for the next part of her life. I then drove her car filled with many of her possessions back to Columbus where I will store the car and stuff until she can come for them (or just in case she comes home she does not have to restart form total scratch).

The good news is that at the other end of her almost 24 hour trip to Madrid, Spain (via Atlanta, and New York) she was met by a very excited young man, who, it seems has reasonably honorable intentions...


On Friday evening, about 10:30 PM Eastern time this young man, Jorge Freire, called me on the phone (at what worked out to be 4:30 AM in Spain). He needed to talk to me about his plans for that day (Saturday) and make sure I was OK with what he was planning to do. What was he planning? Well to give my little girl a ring and ask her officially to be his wife. I say "officially" because Rachel made this trip planning to get married over there this fall. She even brought a dress and has been working through the logistics and paperwork to actually do it. So Jorge's question to me was more a formality than a requirement or a surprise.

My answer to him was a bit difficult, because this conversation was in Spanish, a language I spoke fluently at one time but am now rusty. Along with the language issues were the emotional ones, making the whole thing a challenge. I did my best to make it clear to him that, basically, "He damn well better do it." (something like, "Heck, I have been telling everyone that I sent her to Spain to get married and if you don't do it, then she will have to find someone who will."



Well, here is the proof that he did it.

1. Liz Novak07/17/2006 01:58:23 PM

Congratulations, Father of the Bride! And wishing a lifetime of joy to the happy couple! Would the Spanish version of Franck be Franco, perhaps? Can't wait to hear more about Madrid!
:)
Liz

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2. Rock07/17/2006 02:04:24 PM
Homepage: http://h

Rachel is a beautifil, gifted young woman who seems to be fulfilling her dreams as well as her heart. Tell her I wish her nothing but the best, and I am so glad to hear she has met the man of her dreams.

And you've done a fantastic job raising her, Newbs - you should be very, very proud.

All my best to you and her.

Rock

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3. Ellie07/17/2006 04:20:26 PM

Congratulations, Henry! What a gorgeous couple! We wish them all of the happiness and love in the world. Know that all of our well wishes and happy thoughts are with you! Rachel is so lucky to have such an amazing dad! :)

Big hugs,
Ellie

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4. Jeff & Nancy Gurvine07/19/2006 11:17:51 AM

Congratulation...You do not know us, but we were at the Paris Institute of Religion when Jorge was there. He is a fine young man. He faithfully and seriously attended our class, Preparation for Celestial Marriage. We love him and know he will be a honorable husband to your daughter. Congratulations again and please send him our love and best wishes...Jeff & Nancy Gurvine

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5. Rachel Pauline Newberry07/23/2006 02:36:12 PM
Homepage: http://www.rachelnewberry.com

Hello Daddy dearest... You´ve probably already read my posting on my blog, but here´s just one more... I love you very much, because you are my one and only and favorite Dad. I could never have gotten as far as I have -literally and figuratively- without your love and support. But, as much as I love you, you know I have to grow up someday... ;) Sorry if it came too soon for you to get used to the change. We´ll see you in a couple of weeks!

Raquelita

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