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J
Savvy June 2021

Who to walk me down the aisle?

Jerrica, on August 21, 2021 at 12:12 PM Posted in Family and Relationships 1 15
So to start I'll explain my past. I grew up with a very abusive father. It wasn't until I was about q4 years old that my mom finally got the courage to leave. At this point there was my brother (16), me (14) my sister (8) and my other sister (6). Unfortunately my mom had to work 2 jobs and was exhausted all the time. Somehow things ended up that I became the "mom" of the household. At 14 I took care of the finances, making dinner every day, helping my sisters with homework, etc. I was not allowed to go to my friends homes because the 2 weekends a month my mom was off was her down time. So I always had to be home. I was thankful for my mom working so hard, but resentful for the life I lived. I had a strange relationship with my mom. Fast forward several years and when I was 25 I became a mother. My child's biological father wanted nothing to do with the baby so I knew from the beginning I was on my own. My mom hardly spoke to me during my pregnancy. She always had negative things to say. When I packed my hospital to-go bag one week before the due date my mother riduliculed me that I was doing things to early and needed to "chill out." I was just trying to be excited. Many years of struggles with my mom continued. Meanwhile I met a guy and his family. I truly felt loved by them. This guys Step-dad, Paul, starting introducing me as his daughter. He co-signed on several things for me to help me build credit. When I bought my house I was short on all the unexpected money I would need just before signing and he handed it over without hesitation. The guy and I had a brutal breakup, but his family and I are still close. Paul still calls me his daughter, and my daughter he says is his grand daughter. Trouble is, after I get married, we will be moving away from Paul. And most of my relationships don't last once I don't see them regularly. My mom and I have worked on our relationship and we are in a much better place now. I remind her when she's being a "negative nancy" and she tries to correct her words. My mom eagerly wants to walk me down the aisle. Paul hasn't said a word. I would be happy with both of them walking me down. But now there is so more complications. My mom is now engaged to a wonderful man. They have been together for 5 years, though I hardly see him. When we bought out house he kindly gave up his old appliances and delivered them. My mom worries he will be offended. And my mom admitted she's a bit offended I'd ask Paul too, because she raised me since birth whereas Paul has only been around for 9 years. Also, for Paul, he has one biological daughter and due to a dispute between him and her many years ago, he never got to walk her down the aisle. So I'd like to show my appreciation to him and in a way give him this moment or memory.

Anyway... idk what to do... advice?

15 Comments

Latest activity by Ingrid, on August 22, 2021 at 10:21 PM
  • H
    Master July 2019
    Hannah Online ·
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    If you take away everyone else's wants, who do YOU want to walk you down the aisle? Honestly, from everything you said, I would probably just walk alone.
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  • Jasmine
    Master August 2021
    Jasmine ·
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    I agree with Hannah. I'd just forget the stress going back and forth between people and just walk alone. It's not uncommon.

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  • J
    Savvy June 2021
    Jerrica ·
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    I'm afraid if I don't have my mom walk me down, our relationship will be pretty much done. I don't want my wedding to be that moment. So my debate is my mom only, or my mom and Paul. I know Paul will be understanding if I don't ask him, he may not even know I'm considering him, but it would mean a lot to me to be able to give him that moment of walking his "daughter" down. My mom's other comment is that I may regret having him walk me down later since he is my ex's step dad.
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  • Jasmine
    Master August 2021
    Jasmine ·
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    Hmm, I see. Well, for me, I had my brother's dad (former step-dad) walk me down the aisle even though my biological father have a great relationship now. We didn't have much of one since I was about 4 years old because he wasn't there. He totally understood and had no hard feelings. If it were me, I'd honestly go with mom and Paul.

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  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    What having your son or daughter walk you down the aisle? I don't think having an ex's family involved in your wedding in any way is a good idea so I wouldn't even have Paul or anyone from that family even at the wedding. It also doesn't sound like your mom or this new man she is with would be a good idea either.
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  • J
    Savvy June 2021
    Jerrica ·
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    My daughter is going to be the flower girl, and I'm not crazy on wanting her to "give me away" so to speak. Our guest list is only 60 people, and 8 of them are my ex's family, but I see these people almost daily. And my fiance likes them all too. So they are definitely friends at least.
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  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    Obviously you and your fiance have a very different relationship than most people have with their ex's family. I would never want my ex or my husband's ex's family near any celebration of mine. I think you need to decide if you want to make yourself happy by having the person you want to walk you down the aisle or if you'd rather keep a relationship with your mom.
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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    Based on your story, I would have a difficult time maintaining a relationship with mom due to her hostility toward you, including inviting her to the wedding. That is not love on her part. It actually falls into the boundaries of verbal/emotional abuse which should not be rewarded. Do *everything* in your power to keep the relationship strong with Paul long after you move because he is the parent who stepped in when you needed one and she refused to be there for you. Mom has done nothing to deserve any honor or recognition as a parent on your wedding day and it’s not your problem if she and her husband are upset by you not choosing stepfather to escort you. Have Paul only walk you down the aisle as surrogate father. He’s been there for you through and mom actively chose not to be part of your life.
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  • Natalie
    Super November 2020
    Natalie ·
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    Follow your heart on this one! I’d also like to suggest that if you should decide to not have Paul walk you down the aisle, maybe you can do a father-daughter dance with him !
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  • J
    Savvy June 2021
    Jerrica ·
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    Seeing all these various opinions definitely helped me see why I am so conflicted. I love the idea of a father daughter dance with Paul, but we are having a dinner only reception due to my anxiety of being in the spot light.
    I talked things over in more detail with my fiance and he is so sweet and encouraging me to do what feels right. He fully supports my choice either way (love him dearly). So I think I'm going to ask both. Thank you all so much!
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  • Shan
    Beginner April 2022
    Shan ·
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    I have done a lot of research on wedding traditions, what I realized is that some of these traditions, (if not all) is really sexist. If you have been left to fend yourself most of your life, isn’t your walk a claim of victory, that you deserve ? I am walking myself and I’ll be the queen that I am!
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Can you have your mom walk you, and you do a first look with Paul or the father-daughter dance with him? I bet he’d be honored by either! Maybe you could present him with a gift (privately to let him know how much his love & support has meant to you—cufflinks, hanker chief with your maiden name initials embroidered, watch, etc)?
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  • Ariel
    Devoted October 2021
    Ariel ·
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    Is there another way you have can Paul involved in the wedding? Maybe you can do a father daughter dance together?
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  • Stefanie
    Devoted May 2022
    Stefanie ·
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    Did you say you had a brother? Would he walk you down the aisle? Ultimately it is your decision not anyone else’s. If they have issues it is on them. If you still don’t know - maybe walking by yourself would work too! ❤️
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  • I
    Expert August 2021
    Ingrid ·
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    To me it sounds like you have a really special relationship with Paul and he means a lot to you and your daughter, do it, ask him to walk you down the aisle. I think it's great he has always treated you as family, shows how awesome of a man he really is! If I was in this situation I wouldn't give it a second thought.

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