My step-daughter is getting married, and my role will be somewhat awkward. The wedding is a month away in San Francisco, and the mother-of-the bride and I went to visit for the weekend. We brought the happy couple a box of assorted wines that Alaska Airlines was kind enough to ship for free. During the course of 3 active days, my Apple Watch recorded over 70,000 steps between morning runs, walks to & from dinners, an afternoon jaunt through Golden Gate Park where we spotted a raccoon, a tour of their Presidio wedding venues, and some photo location scouting along the waterfront. I was trying to work in a side-venture to the Oakland A’s baseball stadium for a game against my White Sox, but that never worked into our plans.

The happy couple had just moved coast-to-coast from Washington D.C. after finding new jobs and and an apartment in the Dogpatch neighborhood. They arrived to meet us at our Courtyard by Marriott hotel suite after a long day of work. We were all tired and hungry but “Randee” couldn’t wait, grabbing what she thought were Gummies from a zip-lock bag my wife had packed. They turned out to be our entire supply of B-12 vitamins, so we teased her all weekend about stealing all of our energy while fortifying herself. (It could have been worse considering that we live in a state where edibles are legal.) I was already having some lower back issues that caused me to feel “old and sluggish” even before we arrived. As we head home, I decided to have some fun with it via a poem, after already offering some half-serious input about their wedding plans. I called them “Step-Suggestions,” since everyone else seemed to have their opinions. (See Post #1004).It was all for a laugh, as I’ll let her mom and real father have their well deserved “moment in the sun” come wedding day, while I’ll remain in the background of her life.

Step-Father

We came to visit,
And brought the wine.
Then walked to WaterBar,
To talk and dine.

I made a list,
Of marriage tips.
And shared my wit,
Over martini sips.

Planning a wedding,
Is thankless work.
Spoiled by those,
That act the jerk.

There was little chance,
To ignore my words.
Some scraps of wisdom,
To feed the birds.

When I woke up,
For energy to run.
I searched my vitamins,
But we had none.

Our B-12 supply,
Had been devoured.
My weekend mood,
Was sadly soured.

The bride-to-be,
Sometimes called “Randee.”
Mistakenly thought,
That they were candy.

We could have offered,
Our Peanut M&Ms.
They’d have satisfied,
Her hunger whims.

Instead she became,
An “Energy Vampire.”
Full of vigor,
Leaving me to tire.

It’s “Dumpling Time,”
Said fiancé, Ben.
So soon I rose,
To my feet again.

Then walked for miles,
Through The Park.
The Cliff House meal,
Lasted well past dark.

Another morning run,
A Presidio tour.
Just how much,
Could I endure?

Ball Park dreams,
Of sitting for hours.
Instead we talked,
Of vows and flowers.

The fog rolled in,
Over our picnic spread.
My aching back tested,
By photo sites ahead.

The happy couple,
In their new town.
We’re all looking forward,
To the “Girl in the Gown.”

Mom is proud,
The beautiful Bay.
But 70,000 steps,
Got in my way.

This is the role,
Of the “Step” father.
Making newlyweds laugh,
And not be a bother.

Best Wishes on many years together.

Love,

Mike

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