I dare you to. Go on. I dare you. Make it through this new Expedia commercial without at least tearing up. It's three minutes long, but it is so powerful, it could have a message that lasts much, much longer. It is definitely a thinker.
WATCH: Find Your Understanding
The ad shows a father coming to terms with the fact that his daughter is getting married, not to a man, but to another woman. Artie Goldstein says, "This is not the dream I had for my daughter." Through the course of next three minutes, Goldstein narrates things from a dad's perspective describing how he disagreed with her choices, wondered what others would think, but eventually grew to love his daughter unconditionally. Pictures of the wedding flash. Pictures of the happy couple flash. Pictures of a proud father flash as he dances with his daughter. You see Goldstein speak at his daughter's wedding and then you hear his words, "You have to make a decision... are you going to have a daughter that you are going to maintain a very wonderful relationship for the rest of your life or are you going to lose that child?"
The ad is sure to stir up controversy. The ad is sure to stir up debate. But from where I stand, the ad is about much more than the same-sex marriage debate. The true meaning of the ad comes when Goldstein comes to the simplest of all conclusions -- that HE'S happy if his daughter is happy.
My girls are only 7 and 4. We're far away from relationships and weddings and growing up. But from the first time I held my girls in my arms, I started wondering what the story of THEIR lives would be. As a parent it's only natural. And I already started coming to the same conclusion that Goldstein did. Here's mine:
My wish for my girls is that they grow up to be strong, independent women who never need to live in anyone else's shadow. My wish for my girls is that they study hard, work hard and find a way to contribute to society. My wish for my girls is that they grow up with compassion and understanding. My wish for my girls isn't for fame or fortune or a lavish life of millions. My wish for my girls is simple. I can sum it up in one word. My wish for my girls is that they're happy... happy with WHO they are... happy with WHERE they are... and happy with the parents who helped raise them.
If that happens then my job as a dad has been a success. What are the wishes for YOUR kids? Let me know and find me on Facebook at Dadmissions The Book.