InnerTeub

I was kind of a cranky bride in the sense that I refused to play along with a lot of basic wedding traditions. Bridesmaids? NO. Sweetheart table? NO. First Dance? NO NO NO.

I like the idea of a “First Wedding Dance” in theory, however in practice I find it can be kind of awkward and my GOD do you know how LONG a three minute song is when it’s just two people dancing while 100 people look on? So, no: no first wedding dance for us. (I did propose a compromise that we could do a First Dance to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” an idea I think was dismissed entirely too quickly).

Around this same time, my stepdaughter mentioned she wanted to sing at our wedding, and gradually this idea morphed into her singing our “First Dance” song. Kristen (Sammy’s mom) and Sammy picked out a song and practiced with the band, all while keeping a secret from us the actual song.

Come reception night, after all the toasts and the food and the excitement, etc, the band starts up (side note: We had an 80s rock cover band and the were AWESOME and yes it’s possible my dad did an impromptu Daddy/Daughter dance to Van Halen’s “Jump.” Ahem) and after a few great songs, Sammy got up in front of the band, lowered the microphone and Blew Our Freaking Minds.

This beautiful, fabulous, amazing girl got up and belted out “Open Arms” and I swear, for as much as I loved Journey before, I seriously, seriously love them now.

We only have scratchy video of her actually singing at the wedding (curses!), but we got video of her singing the same song at an open mic night a few weeks later, and I submit it to you as Exhibit 1 in Why I Think The Boyz II Men Version Of ‘Open Arms’ Sucks A Lot.
Randy Jackson, don’t be peddling your lame ass excuse for a remake over here. Next time you want to produce a new version of your old hits, come talk to me first, mmmkay?