I think, from everything I have heard from your son and the rest of your family, that you would have wanted me to call you that...so I hope I am not being presumptuous...

If there is one thing that I hope you can see, from wherever you are, it is how happy your son makes everyone around him. I am so lucky to be marrying him. He makes my whole being swell with warmth and just thinking about spending an evening with him makes me smile -- you can imagine how I feel about spending the rest of my life with him.

I needed to write to you because I never had the chance to meet you. I met David when you had already been gone for a year, and although it sounds inadequate and maybe inappropriate, I really miss you. Everyone tells me that you were an extraordinary man. I believe them. Or rather, I believe David, who loves and respects you still. He misses you constantly; I can't begin to imagine how hard this wedding will be for him and Mom and Sherri.

So, I am asking you to help me, even though I already owe you an immense debt for all that you have done to make David the person he is. I am asking you for a wedding gift, not for me, but for your son, your daughter, and your wife:

Send them your strongest celestial love. Make them feel it, and make them feel comforted and not too sad. They will be thinking of you and missing you and hurting...please give them some fraction of the joy you gave them in life. They need it...and I want them to have it if they can.

I've felt your presence in my dreams and I know you are watching over David and I. I promise to love him as well or better than I do now for the rest of our lives.

Thank you, Dad, for giving me your son. He's an incredible gift.

Love,

Your soon to be daughter-in-law, Debi