Father-Daughter Dance: I Loved Her First

He is a hands-on father. He used to bring my lunch to school since I was in 5th grade until I finished high school. Together with my mom, he would help me with my school assignments. He is a very cool yet strict father, who lets his children experience both the beauty and bitterness of life. I experienced a balance of spanking and non-stop lecturing. He talks about sports, politics and even the most sensitive issues that fathers don’t dare to discuss with their daughters. He is a good cook but he is very messy in the kitchen. He sings well, the one thing in his genes that he forgot to pass on to me.

I used to hate him for being so meticulous and opinionated. And as I age, I realize that I hate him because I am beginning to be just like him. Now, I am more meticulous and opinionated than him.

My father and I danced Wind Beneath My Wings on my 18th birthday. I am really close to my dad and that song sums up my relationship with him. I was planning to use the same song for our father-daughter dance. But I felt that it wasn’t the right one. Months before our wedding, I stumbled upon I Loved Her First. Though not a fan, I have always been fascinated with country music. Country song is not really a popular choice for wedding receptions. But the moment I heard it, I knew that it was going to be “the” song.


My dad was really bubbly and had kept his cool during the wedding. A lot of guests said that my dad’s antics made them laugh and kept them entertained. He was far from the usual fathers who are emotional and anxious in giving their daughters away. Most of them said that they now know where I got my sense of humor and my hidden mischievous side. Even during the father-daughter dance, he couldn’t conceal his playfulness.


The animated bride that I portrayed during the wedding preparations and the ceremony proper suddenly disappeared. And just like when I delivered our personal vows and my message to my parents, my tears were flowing endlessly while I was dancing with my father.

Photos courtesy of Ian Santillan Photography

He started to whisper that Boyet and I should never forget to pray, and that we ask God to bless us with healthy kids. I don’t remember saying anything to him. Other than a few nods in between his words, only sobbing was what I could do. I actually listened to the song countless of times thinking that my heart would be numb by the time the song is played on our wedding. I was mistaken.

Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each other's face
So much in love, you're alone in this place
Like there's nobody else in the world

I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one, she told me so
And she still means the world to me, just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl

Time changes everything, life must go on
And I'm not gonna stand in your way

But I loved her first, I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep

And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it's still hard to give her away
I loved her first

How could that beautiful woman with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairytales to
And tucked into bed all those nights

And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time

I loved her first, I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep

And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it's still hard to give her away
I loved her first

From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep

Someday you might know what I'm going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first
Lyrics from elyrics.net