Two years ago today, my dad missed the most important day of my life.
He wasn’t there to act as a witness in the ceremony where I was sealed to my husband.
He wasn’t there to hug me after the most momentous step of my life.
He wasn’t there for a father-daughter picture in front of the temple where my husband and I were married.
He wasn’t there for that tender and symbolic moment–when a father leads his daughter out onto the floor to enjoy his last dance as the number one man in her life.
He missed it all. Every last second of it.
And I love him for it.
A couple of months before my wedding, Dad and Mom left their eight children and first grandchild to spend three years in Australia serving God. Dad is still serving as the Mission President of the Australia Melbourne Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Keep reading Martha’s story here.

Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.