The Wilsons: Uptown Girls

On Friday night, Daddy escorted Mary Conlee to the annual Father Daughter Ball benefitting LeBonheur Children's Hosptital. This year's "Uptown Girls" theme was their 6th date to this event. It is definitely the highlight of Mary Conlee's year! She loves getting to eat fancy h'ors d'oevres, meet the Disney Princesses and characters, get her special photograph made with Daddy, take a carriage ride, and most of all...DANCE!!!! Two years ago, she danced the pearls right off her add-a-pearl necklace. This year, she danced so fast and furious that her little pale pink zinnia corsage was in pieces by the end of the night. I call that a success!

I'm convinced that the Daddies have as much fun as their daughters. Each year, Judd buys her a $5 box for a chance to win $100. All the the little girls open them at the same time to see who receives the grand prize. Eventhough MC ends up with Mardi Gras beads each time, she loves the thrill and suspense of "the little white box."

Watching Mary Conlee receive her corsage from Daddy and climb into the back of his car brought tears to my eyes. It took me to another place...her wedding day. I can only imagine what my parents felt like on June 8, 1996, when their only child climbed into the back of that limousine and rode off into the sunset with "that Wilson boy." Probably something like, "I can't believe our little girl is gone." I am glad I have many years before experiencing this same emotion...but our Uptown Girl is growing up and won't be little forever.