i am the first man who love you

As the years went by, I left Visakhapatnam and travelled around the world, met many beautiful girls at the various exotic places I visited. But
I never forgot her! A man’s first love would always have an enduring place in his heart.

　　

　　And now, I was back in Visakhapatnam, almost ten years later. As I walked down the slope towards the beach, in my mind’s eyes I could still
vividly envision the playfully 18)sublime look on her face—her gentle smile and communicative eyes—even if ten years had passed. I could not
contain the mounting excitement and anticipation in me; I was desperately yearning to see her again. It was a 19)forlorn hope but I felt flushed
with optimism.Reaching the beach, I noticed that the sun was well clear of the horizon. I glanced at my watch—almost seven o’clock. I hastened my
step, almost breaking in to a run, and reached the fish market where I stood at the exact same spot, where we used to have our rendezvous at
sunrise.

　　
　　Trembling with anticipation 20)verging on anxiety, I looked around with searching eyes. Nothing had changed. The scene was exactly the same as I
had left it ten years ago. There was only one thing missing—she wasn’t there! I had 21)drawn out the short straw! I felt 22)crestfallen. My mind
went blank and I stood motionles overcome with gloom, when suddenly, I felt that familiar electrifying touch, the same shiver and the familiar
thrill. It jolted me back to reality, as quick as lighting. As she softly put two promfret fish in my hand I was feeling in the 23)seventh Heaven.

　

　　Looking at her, I was not disappointed. Her beauty had enhanced with age. Yet, something had changed, indeed. Yes! It was her eyes. Her large
brown eyes did not dance so teasingly anymore. There was a trace of sadnes a sense of tender 24)poignancy in her liquid brown eye as she bid me her
unspoken “good-bye”. Dumbstruck by the abruptness of the event and the enormity of the moment, I stood frozen like a statue, unable to react or
say anything. It was only when she was leaving that I noticed that there was no mangalsutra around her slender neck anymore.

As the big weekend approaches I am more and more worried that I might break up during my toast so as a pre-emptive strike please accept this letter
and gifts. My feelings about you and your marriage are personal and while I hope to share the sentiments with those at the dinner, it's more
important to me that you realize how much I love you and how proud I am of the amazing woman you have become.


　　My memory for specifics is terrible but my memory for how precious you were as a child is vivid. I loved cradling you in my arms in the wee
hours of the morning when you awoke for a bottle, draping your sleepy body over my shoulder when you were too pooped to walk, giving you under
doggies in the park, tossing you high in the air in the pool in Marine, and reading kids books on the floor of the Denver book store with you on my
lap. From your first days you have had a quiet, beautiful, and kind demeanor. You are thoughtful, sensitive, caring and loving. You were, and still
are, an angel.


　　When I think of you as an adult, I think of your big heart. It's your heart that has led you to be a bright point of light causing millions of
meals to be served to hungry kids. It is your heart that has led you to your vegetarian lifestyle. It is your heart that helps you care for family
and friends in need. For these reasons I have selected three hearts that are this dad's gift to his soon to wed daughter.

　　One heart is a locket with a picture of you and me together. It's a reminder that of the men in your life I loved you first and will always love
you forever and ever---the kind of unconditional love that your granny and grandpa have all their kids and grandkids all their lives.


　　The second heart is made of jade and has the Chinese character "Fu". Jade represents luck and "Fu" means happiness. Maria and I want your life
to be filled with both. David is a very good man, a lucky man, and when I see you two together, arms draped over neck and around waist, we see
happiness. You guys have fun together, a child like fun that we hope lasts a lifetime.


　　The third heart is just pretty and represents your beauty, not the vane kind but the inside and out kind. You are wonderful, loving gift from
god, a beautiful human being.


　　So we are thrilled that you are entering this exciting phase of your life, we're thrilled that you have landed in a family that places family as
the highest priority in life, one that has swallowed up in the Lauren clan, remember that your mom and I loved you first and, along with Maria we
will love and support you always.


　　Finally, the wedding will be amazing. I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle in your beautiful gown. And I can't wait to dance with you in
celebration. My hope is that the event and the whole weekend will bring lasting memories, like an epic move.


　　A father's greatest dream is that his child's life is filled with joy---that is my hope for you, our hope for you and David.
 。

　　This from your devoted and proud...Dad

　

　　P.S. I can't wait to love your kids the way I love you.