PROUD DAD: Little Miss Perfect gets married

Story begins June 28, 2009. I meet Janessa Riordan for first time. My age 64. Janessa’s age 6. Beautiful girl. I am widower nine weeks after wife, Judy Kwake, dies stage 4 ovarian cancer. Doctors gave one year, Judy did 12+. Janessa’s mother 38, widowed Jan. 18, 2009. Deceased husband, Kevin, dies suddenly, one day after Janessa turned 6.

Meeting mom, not Janessa, brings me here. 13 years forward, my daughter Janessa, getting married to fiancé Jake Saturday, 4 p.m. July 16 in yours and my town, Coeur d’Alene. Adults meeting Janessa say: BEAUTIFUL GIRL, SHARP GIRL, BRIGHT GIRL, TYPE-A GIRL. So many accomplishments. Age 8 becomes gymnast — level 8. Age 14 wins Miss Idaho Teen. Age 15 volunteers one-month Roatan Honduras orphanage. Attends NICS three years. Four years Gonzaga Prep Spokane and graduates, all while living in Hayden. Youngest Dutch Bros. employee — entire coffee chain. Loves job. Fourth year employed. In a few days, I give her away. I am extremely PROUD.

God gave to me a DO-OVER. Always “My DAUGHTER — NEVER, EVER, STEPDAUGHTER.” Why THIS story to you? Because my PERFECT DAUGHTER, I also have two others from first wife is CDA’S PERFECT DAUGHTER too. Please celebrate with others this joyous day. Go into Dutch Bros. Get a coffee. Wish her your best. Share with her your feelings. Many know her as LITTLE MISS PERFECT already. You can too!

STANLEY KWAKE, father of the bride

Liberty Lake, Wash. (formerly Hayden)