Oh, Reddit, that boundless galaxy of human drama and quirky conundrums, where real people spill the tea on their lives, leaving us perched on the edge of our seats, popcorn in hand. And do I have a scalding cup for you today, dear readers! Dive into this tale of heartbreak, revelation, and defiance—all set against the backdrop of what should be the happiest day of one’s life. Gather round, for this is a story of a 25-year-old woman, a wedding, and the father who chose his ‘beliefs’ over love. This is a real Reddit story from a real person, and by Jove, it’s a doozy.
Our protagonist thought she had it all—a loving partner of over five years, a family that seemed to embrace her partner as one of their own, and a supposedly great relationship with her 63-year-old dad. Or so she thought. Cue the dramatic music when she discovers that her dad, the man she expected to walk her down the aisle, is clutching onto his ‘old-fashioned’ ways tighter than a miser to his money. Love, it turns out, has its limits, especially when it bumps up against his ‘beliefs.’
Now, let’s get one thing straight—no pun intended—our bride-to-be is gay. She and her partner are the epitome of love that leaps beyond the boundaries of gender, but it seems dear old dad is stuck in the mud of yesteryears, struggling with the whole concept. Despite claiming support, his ‘tolerance’ reeks of disappointment, veiled under the guise of being uncomfortable with public displays of affection. But isn’t love about celebrating it in all its forms? Apparently not in his playbook.
The true colors shone through over a seemingly innocent political banter that turned into an emotional battleground. Our protagonist, wielding her vote as a sword of progress and protection for her right to love and be loved, found herself facing the unexpected. Her father, standing on the opposing side, hinted at his discomfort with her sexuality, cloaked in a vote that spoke volumes more than any protestation of love could.
In a heartbreaking turn, when confronted about his willingness to partake in the sacred aisle walk, dad dearest bared his soul, revealing that his love for his daughter was conditional, tainted by an inability to reconcile his ‘beliefs’ with her reality. The fact that her brother remained silent, a bystander in this emotional car crash, only adds a layer of isolation to our heroine’s plight.
Now, here’s where the plot thickens—our bride is left contemplating a solo march down the aisle, a physical manifestation of her father’s emotional abandonment. The idea that she might have to feign a choice to walk alone, as a cover for her father’s rejection, is a bitter pill to swallow. And amid this turmoil, the mother plays mediator, trying to patch up a wound that has already festered.
So, what’s Roger’s Hot Take on this sordid affair? Here it is, served with a side of sass: If walking your daughter down the aisle feels like a compromise of your ‘beliefs,’ maybe it’s time to re-evaluate those beliefs. Love isn’t about conditions. It’s not negotiable, and it certainly isn’t something you can withhold based on who your child loves. To our resilient bride, I say, if you must walk alone, do it with your head held high, surrounded by those who love you unconditionally. And to the dad? It’s high time to realize that the only ‘old-fashioned’ thing about your beliefs is their expiration date.
In the end, love wins. It always does. Even if it means walking alone, remember, dear readers, it’s better to walk in truth and light than to be escorted in the shadows of conditional love. To our bride-to-be: may your wedding march be a victory lap around the track of prejudices and into the arms of true acceptance. And that, my friends, is the sassiest, most heartfelt take I can offer.
Original story
I just found out my dad does not want to walk me down the aisle. My partner and I have been together for 5+ years. I thought my dad & I got along great.
My dad says he is supportive of our relationship (I’m gay), but he’s never been openly proud about it. I’ve never asked him to be vocal in his support for me but I have expected him to just be accepting of me. My partner & I are both very feminine and it’s always felt like he’s just been tolerant because we appear “straight” but never supportive. Which hurts because he’s not a religious man… he claims he is just “old fashion” & I think his problem is that he’s painted a picture of how my life should have gone and that’s what is holding him back. The rest of my family loves her like she’s already part of the family. He treats her well but I can tell he’s uncomfortable if we PDA.
Yesterday, he told me he was voting red this year and all I said was that my vote would cancel his out (I tried to keep it light hearted). Then he asked me to explain my vote and I just stated that I want to get married in the next couple of years and honestly I’m scared of the possibility of same sex marriage getting overturned. He nodded at the very real possibility and said he understood and that was my right to be concerned and I said “I guess yours too if you want to walk me down the aisle.”
(As I mentioned before, he thinks of himself as “old fashioned” l’m his only daughter and I KNOW he’s thought about walking me down the aisle and our first dance. When I was younger, he told me what song he wanted for our dance.)
Back to yesterday – he told me that “I put him on the spot” by asking “don’t you want to walk me down the aisle?” In front of my older (28) brother and him. So taken back, I asked what he meant? Then he said that “he loves me, and he’d die for me. But I’m asking him to go against his beliefs” I did not know he even had those “beliefs”. I was hurt. So I just said that I’m sure my brother wouldn’t leave me to walk down the aisle alone. I think my brother was also taken back by all this. He could hear the hurt in my voice. He’s incredibly liberal and supportive of me but he remained quiet in the conversation (which also hurt:,) ).
Alcohol was involved in this conversation but how am I supposed to take this? I am heart broken but glad, I guess. I don’t want someone who hates my sexuality more than they love me to walk with me.
Honestly, I just assumed that he would walk me… I didn’t know you’d have to ask your dad that.. My dad will just be there in the front row watching me walk without him then watching my partner’s father with her? I feel like I’ll have to walk alone and hopefully everyone just thinks I chose to walk by myself.
My mom will try to convince him to walk with me but the damage is done. If it’s not an automatic yes then I don’t want to wait around for an answer. I also don’t want anyone with secret animosity towards my sexuality there with us.