Speech by Gary Oliver

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Gary Oliver
Speech Date: 05/08/2010 13:32:40

For Katie.

At Princess Anne's place, on a cool autumn day

An angel was born I heard them all say.

Bright as a button she lay with her mother,

Gazed into her eyes and she wanted no other.

This little girl is mine I said proudly to the quack,

He said its too late now, I can't put her back!

So I'll spread the good news cos mums having a kip,

Then I'll go down to the pub just for a little sip.

Now all little babies are prone to a paddy,

But they really make up for it the first time they say daddy.

Rice pudding she loved, every meal if she could,

We gave her lots of course, but balanced as we should.

It had some awful effects; thank heavens for Terries,

But its only rice pudding, glad she didn't like curries.

Soon she'd get ready for bed on her own,

Whilst falling into the slumber zone.

A very quick learner for the entire world to see,

While sitting on my lap, and reading to me.

Playing nickerless in the garden it will be worms again for tea,

Slugs were her speciality, and she'd always save one for me.

Bangers and mash, Yorkshire pud, fish and chips,

She loved mum's cooking, enough to sink the ships.

And with toys all array, with Barbie she'd play,

And when ken muscled in, she put him in the bin.

She said a rabbits what I want, I want one very much,

And my big sister will let me share her hutch.

That's the one I want she said with glee,

So I gave her that rabbit, and I said it's for our tea.

Then she said time I had spends; I'm a big girl now,

Which hand is it in? Right again don't know how.

Handing out toffees to family and friend,

That little girl's big heart just doesn't end.

Christmas arrives, she really wants a bike,

Round and round the garden on two wheels not a trike.

Big brothers teaching her to ride without fear,

See dad, I can do it she yelled in my ear.

In Swinton with nana, baking those cakes,

I'll save one for dad just to see if he aches.

She fed it me whole, dropped not one crumb,

She said its there now daddy in your big fat tum.

If you liked the cake daddy, I can make you another,

No darling that's alright, make one for your brother.

From Burnden park to Wembley to watch the Wanderers play,

Seems like Katie's been excited now for ever and a day.

It didn't go quite to plan our goalie played like a prat,

And 8 year old Katie said “I could have easy saved that”.

Hormones a’ raging, skirts getting shorter,

Dad is now frightened, because it's his little daughter.

But a good head on her shoulders, shouldn't worry at all,

Back Street Boys on the wall, and still knows it all.

A Husband she wants, and then she met Chris,

He's not a bad lad, and he was her first kiss.

Katie, thanks for the laughter, and the occasional tears,

And the memories within, for the rest of my years.

And after all this, I gave her away,

She wanted to go, but that's ok.

So gather round lads, cos after you've played your part,

She'll leave you for another man and break your blessed heart.

But I've got three kids, and the good times far outweigh the bad,

And this poem is written for Katie, with love from mum and dad.

For Dawn

It was cold that November,

The year our first daughter was born,

We thanked god for the blessing and we both named her dawn.

I was very surprised to see my little girl was black,

Nurse said don't be silly, she's over there with her mum, at the back.

She was waving at me with her sticky out ear,

And I knew straight away she'd be ever so dear.

The sweetest smile that there ever could be,

But that was just wind, silly old me.

But at least all her life, I'll know just where she's at,

Because no man would want her looking like that.

That's Dads little joke of course, cos the beauty was plain to see,

And I knew she would be home soon, getting to know me.

A special little lady, as lovely as can be,

Saved up all her pennies just to have a spending spree.

Always busy with something to do,

Nearly late for school putting pressure on to you.

Dawn have you put those socks on yet? Yes dad all except one,

Logic from her parent, not me, the other one!

Dads working away from home, I wish I was there,

But I won't cry now, because he gave me his teddy bear.

Animals she loved, they really made her happy,

She had Guinea pigs and rabbits, enough to fill a café.

They cost a pretty penny right from the start,

But the sunshine of her smile would melt the coldest heart.

Saturdays here again & ready for a race,

Hand in hand with Katie off to the sports place.

Gymnastics were on the menu, really keen for a time,

Then its back home to Dad just to mug him for a dime.

Then she bought a horse, a Shetland she called Simba,

And Mark said that horse will come in handy, for glue, for my timber.

Then she bought a bigger horse and she named Gina,

And Mark said that horse is even better for glue, for my timber.

In the kitchen with Mum, learning how to cook,

Then making dads tea reading from a book.

I enjoyed the meal, but the chicken made me cough,

For she never really learned her how to take the feathers off.

I've met a man Dad, I'm leaving you,

Only small words, but they cut your heart in two.

Because Steven George Rigby applied for the part,

And he got the job because his love is from the heart.

The years have soon passed all in a whirl,

And this beautiful bride is still my little girl.

She may have outgrown my lap, but she can't outgrow my heart,

Even though she says I'm a silly old father.

So all those days are gone,

and now I'm going grey,

But I was proud to be there then,

as I am to be here today.

So listen well before I have a beer,

I will say this once and make it very clear,

When god was making daughters. As far as I can see,

He spent a lot of time on one, and saved her just for me.

You see he made a perfect woman, thoughtful and kind,

More love and affection than you could ever hope to find.

And he gave this lovely lady, a heart of solid gold,

And after he had finished, he threw away the mould.

Shes, blonde hair and brainy A combination that's not bad,

This is just to say we are proud of you,

With love from mum and dad.