In the blink of an eye, it has happened. I thought I would be able to handle my emotions, but it’s harder than I imagined. Is there a word that describes feeling happy, proud and sad all at the same time? Is there a word for this feeling that my heart is about to burst? Everyone here, our family and friends, sees a lovely woman walking down the aisle, but in my eyes and in my mind, I can only see my little girl …

I chose the name Victoria as soon as I learned I was having a girl. It is a family name, and I wanted to carry on the tradition. It suited you when you pranced around in your princess gowns, but with two older brothers, you were also a bit of a tomboy, and “Tori” suited you just as well.

I learned immediately that having a daughter is a special kind of wonderful. As a new mom, I couldn’t take my eyes off you. You were just so beautiful, and I could hardly believe you were mine. When you were about 3 years old, I lay in bed one Sunday afternoon, and when you asked me why, I said I wasn’t feeling well. You walked out of the room and minutes later, came back in with your little tea set and gave me an imaginary cup of “medicine.” Then you crawled into bed with me to cuddle until we fell asleep. It’s just one of a million memories that cross my mind and make me smile.

Over the years, we spent thousands of hours at dance recitals, soccer games and Little Theater productions. There was rarely a quiet moment between us because we talked about everything. You used to sit at the kitchen counter while I cooked dinner, sharing every detail of your school day and all the dramas swirling around your classmates. We shared a love of books, old movies, tiramisu, the soundtracks to Wicked and Jersey Boys and day trips to New Orleans. We cried like babies at the series finale of Lost—something we couldn’t do in front of anyone but each other.

Somehow, we skipped over those “difficult” years many moms and daughters experience—we just became better friends. At unexpected moments, I’d feel a lump in my throat as I realized how fast time was racing by, how quickly you were growing up. I was often amazed at how kind and smart and confident you had become. It was hard to acknowledge that you would someday leave home, go to college, get married and have your own family.

And here we are. There is so much I want to say, but the words don’t come easily. A cool breeze floats through the air, and the sun sets against a clear blue Tennessee sky. You are radiant and joyful with a life full of promise ahead of you.

You are creating a new bond today with your husband, but the bond between you and me can never be broken. It has carried us through sad and happy times. It has brought us strength, friendship, laughter and joy. It is pure, it is strong, it is ours … and it is forever.