Refill with Randy – Father-Daughter Dance provides memories to cherish

By Randy LeBaron

One of my favorite events that I have participated in over the years here in Orleans County is the annual Father-Daughter Dance.

Sponsored by Harvest Christian Fellowship, the dance had been established long before I arrived in Albion but once I discovered it it became a cherished family tradition.

I remember the first year when it was just me and my oldest daughter Ashlyn, she was around 5 years old at the time and was more interested in chasing bubbles and eating snacks than dancing with dear old dad.

I wasn’t alone though, I connected with many other dads who were biding their time around the buffet while their girls danced in groups with their friends. It felt like middle school all over again.

Eventually though our patience would be rewarded when the lights would dim and the DJ would announce that he was slowing things down. This was the time for us dads to shine because, even if you could never quite learn the choreography to the The Electric Slide, with a slow song you simply got to hold your daughter tight as you swayed back and forth. It doesn’t sound like much but year after year I would look around and see the same look in every father’s eyes, they knew that a special memory was being made.

And so it was with myself and Ashlyn, we had decided that “Butterfly Kisses” was our song and, even after my other daughters Maddie and Jilly were old enough to join us for future dances, when that song came on I knew who I would be swaying with.

(On a side note, if you are not familiar with the song it talks about a father who one minute is snuggling with daddy’s little girl and the next he’s giving her away at her wedding. I dare any dad to listen to it and try not get teary eyed.)

Every year the dance became that much more special as my three girls and I would dress up like we were going to the prom. Even the year when my father died, and his funeral was a couple hours away, I drove back home through a blizzard so that I wouldn’t miss making more memories with my girls.

Unfortunately, that streak ended 4 years ago with the pandemic, although I was excited to see that it was coming back this year. Originally, when planning to write this article, I had hoped to include new memories and photos from that event but unfortunately my daughters were too sick to attend.

It was a bummer to be sure but at least I will not have to wait a whole year to dance with them since my daughter Ashlyn’s wedding is this coming June. And yes, “Butterfly Kisses” will be playing and yes, I am getting teary eyed just thinking about it.

See you in 2 weeks!
Pastor Randy